Assessment of pesticides handling Practices and Health and Environmental Impacts on Khat Growing Farmers: in Haro Maya Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Methods were designed to evaluate the handling practice and the effect of pesticides on environment and human health. The data were collected by participating mainly Khat growing farmers and further supported by interviewing health and agricultural professionals, field observation and focal group discussion with Khat chewers. 97.1 % of farmers used pesticides for pest control. The survey revealed that, 95.2% confirmed that they using DDT. The pesticide treated khat is harvested and consumed starting from the same day of treatment. Farmers were not taken measures while spraying whether children and other people are in the field or not. Majority of farmers i.e. 84.1% have no experience of taking bath, 42.85 % of farmers do not change clothes right after spraying; and 86.93% do not wash the contaminated clothe separately. Majority of farmers doesn't have knowledge about labelling, dosage and expiry date mentioned on pesticide container. Farmers used protective devices rarely, except 73.3% who used scarf to protect the uncomfortable smell of pesticides. Farmers store their pesticides where they sleep, where they eat, prepare their food, where the cattle feed, hut in the field. Majority of farmers experienced headache, dizziness, difficult to breathe and vomiting, itching or burning of different parts of body as the main symptom filling during application of pesticides. Liver case, kidney and stomach are the most common healthy problem realized; and significant number of farmers and health professionals are confident enough that, chewing of pesticides treated khat and unsafe use khat are the case. The care of for the environment is very low in that spray pesticides near water bodies like well water and ponds, disposing the leftover and empty pesticide containers in the field. Number of pollinating insects like, butterfly, and bee are decreasing. The care of livestock not to eat residue of Khat treated by pesticides and graze near treated was small.

Knowledge and attitude of Khat growing farmers on the safe use and handling of pesticides in Haromaya Wereda, Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

“…Pilot study participants (retailers and consumers) confirmed that pesticide chemicals are sprayed on Khat bushes and trees, and Khat farmers disclosed the use of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Malathion on their farm (Beyene et al, 2020). Another survey study in Haromaya Wereda also identified that the farmers were using pesticides including DDT for growing Khat (Regassa and Regassa, 2018).…”

Occupational Contact Dermatitis in Employees of Large-Scale Narcotic Crop Farms of Ethiopia: Prevalence and Risk Factors. A Self-Reported Study Using the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire

“…The sample size was calculated using the single population formula. The total sample size was calculated to be 612 premised on a prevalence of 63% reported work-induced dermatoses in Khat farmers, 16 a margin of error ( d ) of 4%, a 95% confidence level of confidence, and a 10% non-response rate. Three hundred forty-seven farm laborers from the 16 large-scale farms were disqualified based on the eligibility criteria, giving a sample population to draw from 1298 employees.…”

“… 6 , 16 Contact dermatitis, an irritating, inflammatory skin reaction to foreign materials, is one of the most prevalent occupational-related disorders among Khat farm workers, and because occupational dermatitis commonly affects the hands, low-wage employees may lose their ability to work and earn an income. 16 , 18 …”

“…27 , 28 In Ethiopia, there are fewer related studies. 16 , 29 Further OSH research into the factors associated with occupational dermatitis in Khat farms is needed to address this knowledge gap and make changes to protect worker health and wellbeing. In light of this, the purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of and risk factors to occupation-induced contact dermatitis among workers of large-scale Khat ( Catha edulis Forsk) farms of Southern Ethiopia.…”

Pesticide Residue Analysis of Khat Leaves and Health Risks among Khat Chewers in the Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia

“…A study conducted on Khat expansion in Wondogenet, Southcentral Ethiopia, found that Khat growing farmers use different types of toxic pesticides as an insect controller and they spray it about 1-2 times per week on Khat [ 1 ]. Similarly, studies conducted on the status of pesticides in other parts of Ethiopia also evidenced the use of toxic pesticides for Khat growing purposes [ 6 , 7 ].…”