Understanding About Pesticide Handling Practice and Acute Pesticide Poisoning Among Farmers in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT The use of pesticides is very common in Bangladesh in order to improve the productivity of the agricultural sector, but due to its mishandling and lack of knowledge, there is a risk of exposure and consequent health effects among the farmers. The study was a cross‐sectional study that was carried out among 336 farmers in Naogaon district to determine the knowledge, practices, and health impacts associated with the use of pesticides. The data were collected with the help of face‐to‐face interviews with the use of structured questionnaire and analyzed within SPSS version 25. Chi‐square tests, correlation, and logistic regression analysis were done using descriptive statistics. The results have shown that the rate of unsafe pesticide behavior and lack of knowledge about the recommended practices is high. The age, education, farming experience, and the source of knowledge were also found to have a significant relationship with pesticide use behavior and health consequences. The number of farmers who complained of acute pesticide poisoning was very high. The article suggests that specific training and awareness campaigns as well as policy interventions are necessary to ensure the safe use of pesticides and minimize health hazards.