Abstract:
This is a cross sectional descriptive study. A structered interviewer administered
questionnaire and the rapid "field" test (Edson's modified method) to determine blood
choline esterase levels were the two study instruments used. Only 395 (61.7 percent)
farmers had engaged themselves in the spraying of pesticides within the previous three
months. Of them 228 (57.7 percent) had experienced one or more symptoms of acurate
pesticide poisoning. Commonly experienced symptoms were burning sensation of skin (17.5
percent), burning sensation of eyes (16.7 percent), headche (14.9 percent), difficulty in
breathing (10.9 percent), nausea (10.4 percent) and vertigo (5.1 percent). The least known
preventive measure was wearing of boots during spraying (32.5 percent). There was a
significant association between knowledge on preventive measures with (a) educatinal
status, (b) experience in agricultural work and (c) being involed in spraying. Knowledge on
first aid measures following pesticide poisoning was significantly associated with
educational status of the agricultural workers. Snake bite incidence among agricultural
workers was 1,6 percent for one year period. Only 3 bites (30 percent) were venomous. The
least known preventive measure was "treading the feet heavily when walking at night" (66.9
percent). There was a statistically significant association of occurrence of injuries with the
educational status (p0.05). The least known first aid measure for bleeding wounds was
"raising the affected body part above the level of the heart" (66.4 percent). In blood choline
esterase level estimation, blood levels were reduced to 87.5 of the normal levels only among
9 (17 percent) farmers. All of them had engaged themselves in spraying during the previous
one week. The time lapsed since exposure and the reduction of choline esterase levels had a
statistically significant association. The knowledge and practices on preventive measures on
pesticide spraying was not adequate. The practices that should be avoided following a snake
bite were not known by a significant number of farmers. Recommend programmes to
increase awareness and demonstrations to improve the skills on application of preventive
and first aid measures. Recommend follow up studies with a compoment on observation of
practices.
