A Study to assess the effect of Planned Teaching on Knowledge and Practices regarding Health Hazards of Pesticides among Farmers in selected rural community, Pune

Introduction: India is an agriculture country. A farmer, therefore, occupies a very important place in our social set-up. He is the backbone of our country. Safe working conditions are essential for healthy living and for ensuring food security among farmers and farm communities in developing countries. Pesticides have become an integral part of present day farming, and play a major role in increasing agricultural productivity. However, the indiscriminate and extensive use of pesticides represents one of the major environmental and public health problems all over the world. Material and method: A quantitative approach with pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study. Total 60 farmers were selected as sample for study by using Non-probability convenience sampling technique. Inform consent was taken from farmers. To assess pre-test knowledge Pre-test was conducted by using structured interview schedule and practices were assessed by using inventory checklist. On the same day planned teaching was also administered. After 7 days post test was conducted to assess the gained in knowledge using the same structured interview schedule to assess post-test knowledge of farmers and on the same day self-reporting practices of farmers were assessed by using inventory checklist. Data was analyzed with the help of frequency, mean and standard deviation. ANOVA was used to determine the association between knowledge and practices of farmers after planned teaching regarding health hazards of pesticides with selected demographic variables. Results: Study Findings revealed that majority of the farmer (38%) were belongs to the age group of 31-50 years, Majority of the samples (80%) were male and remaining (20%) were female. (21.7%) of samples were illiterate, (51.7%) of samples were having the habit of smoking, majority (53%) of samples were involved in the farming since 11-20 years. (68.3%) of farmers worked in a field area for 1-5 hours per day, 100% of the farmers were not received any training on methods of safe handling pesticides. It was found that majority (56.7%) of farmers have various health problem related to exposure of pesticides. The study also found the positive co-relation (r= 0.55) between knowledge and practices of farmers after planned teaching. Conclusion: There was significant difference in the pre-test and post-test knowledge and practice score of farmers, which indicates planned Teaching was effective in improving knowledge and practices of farmers on health hazards of pesticides. The administration of planned Teaching acts as guiding key for farmers to improve knowledge and practices and aware themes self about health hazards of pesticides.