Determinants, health-related morbidities, and training needs among farmers using pesticides in southern Punjab, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Agricultural workers in developing countries, including farmers in southern Punjab, Pakistan, face significant occupational health risks from pesticide exposure. Objective: To assess the health of farmers exposed to pesticides and identify factors associated with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out among 302 farmers in two districts of Punjab in 2021 through an interview-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographics, information on pesticide exposure, knowledge of PPE use, and self-reported health symptoms. Data was analysed using frequency tabulation and association and between variables were seen using the Chi-square test. P<0.05 is considered as statistically significant. All ethical issues were taken into consideration. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 29.85±10.68 years Most farmers (55.6%) sprayed pesticides for at least an hour, every evening. Liquid pesticides (96.0%) were commonly used in quantities of up to 20 litres and applied by hand (88%). The most frequent symptoms were irritation of the eye, nose, and throat (67%). The farmers used coveralls (71.5%), face masks (58.4%), eye goggles (17.4%), face shields (8.7%), and aprons (3.1%). Age, duration, amount of pesticide sprayed, and application method predicted health risks (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed a notable lack of awareness among farmers regarding pesticide spray frequency, quantity, and PPE use. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals and agricultural workers to provide professional training for enhancing the knowledge and practices of farmer’s safety and health of pesticide exposure.