Pesticides exposure and the use of personal protective equipment by cocoa farmers in Ghana

Abstract

Background: The hazards of pesticide exposure have been a growing concern globally. The increase of susceptibility of farmers to pesticide intoxication is due to lack of knowledge regarding safe and proper pesticide handling. The aim of this study was to evaluate cocoa farmers' pesticide exposure by assessing the ways in which they store pesticides, operational habits exhibited during and after pesticide application and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during pesticide application in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.Methods: Two hundred and forty (240) cocoa farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire.Results: Majority of the farmers were aware of the negative effects of pesticides on their health and the environment if not well handled. Despite the awareness, most farmers did not handle pesticides with care and do not adhere to the use of PPE, hence, increasing their risks to danger of exposure to pesticides. Storage of pesticides in bedrooms was reported by 22.5 % of farmers; an indication of a high risk of pesticides exposure through direct inhalation. Cocoa farmers' in the study area exhibited operational habits such as eating, drinking water and alcohol, smoking cigarette and tobacco pipes, chewing gum and sticks, talking, using the mouth to remove blockages from sprayer nozzles, stirring pesticides with bare hands, among others during pesticides application. The survey revealed that only 35 % of farmers put on full PPE while 45 % put on partial PPE [which is any or combination of the following; cap/hat, respirator, goggle, rubber glove, overall and wellington boot (rubber boot)] during pesticides application. On the other hand, 20 % of farmers in the study area applied pesticides without wearing PPE. These practices expose farmers to adverse health risks. Factors that influenced farmers' decision to use PPE included farming experience, age of farmer, access to extension service, availability of a chemical shop, farm size and educational level. Conclusion:The results indicate high risks of exposure of cocoa farmers in the study area to toxicity and health hazards of pesticides due to mishandling and habits exhibited during pesticide application. There is a need to improve habits of safe use and handling of pesticides among farmers through education and training. There is also a need for education on the use of PPE during pesticides application to avoid exposure and health hazards.

Awareness of Health Implications of Agrochemical Use: Effects on Maize Production in Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana

“…Experience in agrochemicals use and farm size have a negative significant effect on farmers' level of awareness of health implications of agrochemicals use. The negative effects of farming experience on awareness of health hazards of agrochemical use are not out of place since this finding is consistent with empirical research results by Okoffo et al [7]. Extension visit was not statistically significant and this could be that agricultural extension agents do not advise farmers on safety use of agrochemicals.…”

“…Additionally, 52.6% of the respondents adhere to the recommended dosage while 47.4% do not. According to the results obtained, only 26% of the farmers use personal protective clothes and this confirms the findings of Okoffo et al [7] that less than half of cocoa farmers (35%) in Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana put on full PPE (costume) during pesticide application. Mattah et al [21] in their research on "pesticide application among farmers in the catchment of Ashaiman Irrigation Scheme of Ghana: health implications" revealed that out of 74 farmers observed spraying pesticides on their farms, 36.5% used nose guards, 45.9% used boots, 31% used hand gloves, and 25.7% wore dresses that covered the whole body except the eyes.…”

“…The insignificant influence of income and FBO membership on farmers' awareness of health implications of agrochemical use is supported by the work of [7]. The estimated coefficients from an ordered logit model are difficult to interpret because they are in units of log-odds and for easy interpretation, marginal effects associated with each category were generated as shown in Table 6.…”

“…According to Okoffo et al [7], inappropriate use of pesticides to control pests and diseases has major health implications for smallholder farmers and this is now on the global scale attracting global attention of researchers, policy-makers, and the general public (consumers). Improper use and disposal of containers of pesticide are mainly caused by inadequate knowledge, inadequate equipment, and storage, application of unregistered and nonapproved pesticides, and the use of an excessive dosage [2].…”

Pesticide registration, distribution and use practices in Ghana

“…However, there is the urgent need for farmers' attention to be drawn to the usefulness of the PPEs through practical demonstrations by extension staff. Okoffo et al (2016) reported that the influence of extension service on the use of PPE is significant enough to strengthen it in order to increase farmers' knowledge and awareness of the consequences of applying pesticides without PPE. The study showed that the age of farmers had a significant influence on their knowledge about the use of pesticides.…”