DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH IMPACT AND SAFETY PREVENTION MODEL FOR FARMERS USING CHEMICAL PESTICIDES WITH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SUPHANBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this research article were to study using chemical pesticides situation, health impact and safety prevention for farmers using chemical pesticides with community participation in Suphanburi Province, developing and evaluating health impact and safety prevention model for farmers using chemical pesticides with community participation in Suphanburi Province. There were three phases. First phase: Studying using chemical pesticides situation and health impact and safety prevention for farmers using chemical pesticides. The quantitative samples were 277 farmers and in-depth interviews of 21 networked partners. Second phase: Implementation of the model with activities to promote knowledge, health impact, and safety preventive behaviors from using chemical pesticides. The experimental group were 40 farmers, and the control group were 40 farmers. Third phase: Evaluation of the model. Data analysis were used an independent t-test, re-measured with Repeated ANOVA and One-way MANOVA. The finding revealed that farmers (61.4%) had a high level of knowledge. Farmers (72.6%) had a moderate level of health impact and safety preventive behaviors. Health impact and safety prevention model for farmers using chemical pesticides comprised of three components: 1) Principles and concepts of the Cohen and Uphoff’s participation concept and Rogers' s Disease Prevention Motivation Concept, 2) Three sets of activities, 3) Network partners reduced impact from chemical pesticides. After implementation of the model for four weeks, sixth week, and After follow - up, the model farmers had knowledge and health impact and safety preventive behaviors different from the pre - test and from the control group at a significant level of 0.05. For good quality of health impact and safety prevention, It is important to educate farmers about using chemical pesticides before spraying chemical pesticides. Importantly, the network partners should truly involve.