Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms of Plant Protection Products Sales Workers’ in Şanlıurfa and Related Factors

Year 2017, Issue: Issue 1(2) - 3. INTERNATIONAL BIOCIDAL CONGRESS, 37 - 37, 01.02.2017

Burcu Kara Zeynep Şimşek

Abstract

Objective:
World Health Organization has been reported that, one out of every four people
who admitted to health institutions had mental, behavioral or neurological
disorders previously undiagnosed. Identifiying the risk factors and risk groups
are important to control of mental and neurological disorders. It is reported
that workers of pesticides sales are the priority risk group in terms of
pesticides exposure. In this study, it was aimed to determine the
neuro-psychiatric symptoms and related factors of plant protection products
sales workers in Sanliurfa. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted
in 119 pesticides sales that is including the villages of central and central
provinces. We used the screening method, and it was reached 91,66% of
workplaces. Socio-Demografic Characteristics and Symptom Screening
Questionnaire of Pesticide Salers which is consisting of 6 dimentions was used
for data collection. Questionnaires were filled out using face to face
interview and observation techniques. Results: 98% of study participants were
male. The mean age was 36,0±11,2 years. 31,9% of the employees were graduated
from Agricultural Engineers, Agricultural Technician or Plant Protection
Department of Vocational High School. When the work place environment factors
were examined, it was not found the sales which fit allsubstance of the
regulations. 19,6% of workers was applied pesticides in addition to sales
activities. 42,5% of workers had received training of safe pesticide
application. It was found that statistically significant relationship between 6
and higher score of the Q16 Neurological Evaluation Scale and the presence of
pesticide application and working time. Educational level was associated with
the psychiatric semptoms significantly. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the
health screening program of workers, the health education program for gaining
the safe pesticide application behavior, and the training and surveillance
programs for controlling environmental factors of workplaces should be
conducted regularly.

 

Keywords: Pesticide sailer, neurological symptoms,
psychiatric symptoms

Keywords

Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms of Plant Protection Products Sales Workers’ in Şanlıurfa and Related Factors

References

• Burcu Kara, Zeynep Şimşek Sanliurfa Eyyübiye Community Health Center , Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health