Experiences in Pesticide Used among Farm Workers and its Effect to their Health

Nowadays, pesticides are most commonly used in farming. The farm workers used this chemical preparation for them to have a good and quality harvest of fruits. The researchers chose this study to know the effects or health risks of pesticides on the health of farmers. The period of exposure was determined and the level of knowledge as well as the perception of the farm workers about this substance. The qualitative research method was used in this study, to describe qualitatively and quantitatively the data obtained from the respondent and to test the hypothesis and to answer the question concerning the current status of the object of the study. The study was conducted at Lingating, Baungon, Bukidnon. Two plantations are selected namely: Mango Plantation and Durian Plantation. The respondents in this study consisted of fifteen (15) farm workers from Mango Plantation and another fifteen respondents from the Durian Plantation. The study utilized purposive sampling using the following criteria: 1.) The respondents must be presently working at the farm, 2.) at least 16 years age, 3.) currently using pesticides in the plantation and 4.) Willing to participate during data gathering. The study used questionnaire survey and interview schedules in collecting data. Observations were recorded during personal interviews with subjects. The finding shows that participating farm workers generally had a high perception of pesticides risks to themselves and to their family. Farm workers did not take adequate protection from pesticides. Their beliefs on how illness is brought about, perception and beliefs on pesticides, as well as their functional definition of health and its maintenance, have led to certain actions that hampered their taking preventive measures to protect themselves from the ill-health of pesticides. As to be expected from the literature, overall farm workers had an even higher perception of risk from pesticides exposure to their co-workers then to themselves or their family.

 

Keywords - pesticides use, farm workers, health effects