Effectiveness Evaluation of the need-based education in the application of pesticides in terms of safety, health and environment on farmers' knowledge, attitude and practice
Abstract
Introduction: The assessment of pesticides caused damage shows that along with the promotion and development of pesticide use, environmental problems and consequences and its effects on human health, especially farmers, have expanded over time. Dealing with essentially toxic chemicals, including preparing and spraying them, poses many risks for farmers. Agricultural workers poisoning with pesticides, especially in developing countries, is one of the most common occupational hazards related to the use of pesticides. Knowing the awareness, attitude and behavioral intention of farmers when using pesticides can be useful in providing solutions to promote protective behaviors by farmers, especially educational topics and prevent unsafe use of pesticides. Based on this, in the present study, the knowledge, attitude and behavioral intention of farmers about the use of pesticides and the effect of education on the improvement of these components are investigated.
Method: This is a semi-experimental intervention research based on a questionnaire survey strategy. The target community is all the farmers of Sarab city with the number of 26990 people. The sample size was extracted through Cochran's calculation formula. The samples were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method from 9 rural districts and 30 villages and information was collected through 337 questionnaires. The questionnaires were completed in two stages; before and after implementing the intervention program. Statistical tests such as analysis of variance and independent t-test were performed using SPSS software before and after the intervention. After the implementation of the educational program, its effectiveness was evaluated with paired t-test.
Results: Before the intervention, the results showed that the respondents do not have enough knowledge about the safe and healthy use of pesticides. The attitude of the respondents towards both aspects of positive and negative consequences of using pesticides was weak. The investigation of safety behavior also showed that most of the respondents have less safety measures consideration. After the implementation of the educational program and the leveling of the components of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention, it was found that they have improved above the average level (class level 50 to 75). Also, after examining the effect of the intervention, it was concluded that the total score of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention had a significant positive growth (P_Value less than 0.01) and this indicates the effect of education on improving the level of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention.
Conclusion: Respondents had not enough information in many important areas of knowledge related to pesticides. In addition, the behavioral intention of safety was not at the desired level. Therefore, improving knowledge in these areas and encouraging the use of effective protective measures such as wearing masks, protective glasses and gloves should be the priority of educational and promotional programs. Therefore, it is inevitable for farmers to provide the needful conditions for obtaining correct knowledge of the dangers of poisons and their harm to humans, the environment, and farmers.
Keywords: Awareness, attitude and behavioral intention/ Health, safety and environment/ Farmers/ Pesticides/ Education on the improvement of these components are investigated.
Method: This is a semi-experimental intervention research based on a questionnaire survey strategy. The target community is all the farmers of Sarab city with the number of 26990 people. The sample size was extracted through Cochran's calculation formula. The samples were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling method from 9 rural districts and 30 villages and information was collected through 337 questionnaires. The questionnaires were completed in two stages; before and after implementing the intervention program. Statistical tests such as analysis of variance and independent t-test were performed using SPSS software before and after the intervention. After the implementation of the educational program, its effectiveness was evaluated with paired t-test.
Results: Before the intervention, the results showed that the respondents do not have enough knowledge about the safe and healthy use of pesticides. The attitude of the respondents towards both aspects of positive and negative consequences of using pesticides was weak. The investigation of safety behavior also showed that most of the respondents have less safety measures consideration. After the implementation of the educational program and the leveling of the components of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention, it was found that they have improved above the average level (class level 50 to 75). Also, after examining the effect of the intervention, it was concluded that the total score of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention had a significant positive growth (P_Value less than 0.01) and this indicates the effect of education on improving the level of awareness, attitude and behavioral intention.
Conclusion: Respondents had not enough information in many important areas of knowledge related to pesticides. In addition, the behavioral intention of safety was not at the desired level. Therefore, improving knowledge in these areas and encouraging the use of effective protective measures such as wearing masks, protective glasses and gloves should be the priority of educational and promotional programs. Therefore, it is inevitable for farmers to provide the needful conditions for obtaining correct knowledge of the dangers of poisons and their harm to humans, the environment, and farmers.