Journal article
Risk perception and behavior in Egyptian adolescent pesticide applicators: an intervention study
BMC public health, Vol.20(1), pp.679-679
05/13/2020
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08801-7
PMCID: PMC7222587
PMID: 32404149
Abstract
Adolescents are engaged in agricultural work, including pesticide application, around the world. Adolescent pesticide applicators are more likely to be exposed to pesticides than their adult counterparts because of their application practice and hygiene habits surrounding pesticide use. There is a need for low-cost interventions to reduce pesticide exposure. We evaluated a theoretically-based educational intervention to change perceptions about the risk of pesticide use and hygiene habits during and after pesticide application for adolescent and young adult pesticide applicators in Egypt.
Young adult and adolescent male pesticide applicators were given a one-hour educational intervention to inform them about the risk of pesticide use and how to reduce pesticide exposure. The median age of participants was 18 years old. Changes in perceived susceptibility and effectiveness were measured with a survey pre and post-intervention (n = 119) on the same day. The same survey (n = 95) was given 8-months post-intervention to identify sustained effects. Observational checklists of pesticide application practice were also completed during application seasons before and after the intervention.
There was an increase in the proportion of individuals who viewed pesticides as being a long-term health risk (74.7% pre-intervention to 97.9% post-intervention, McNemar test p < 0.001). This change remained significant when surveyed at the 8-month follow-up (90.5%, p < 0.001). There was also a sustained improvement regarding participants' views of proper hygiene practice surrounding pesticide application. Applicators were observed wearing goggles, shoes, and masks more frequently post-intervention.
This theoretically-based intervention is an example of a low-cost solution that can improve adolescents' and young adults' practices regarding pesticide application and personal hygiene practices during and after pesticide application. The intervention can be applied in other countries with similar safety culture surrounding pesticide application.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Risk perception and behavior in Egyptian adolescent pesticide applicators: an intervention study
- Creators
- Diane S Rohlman - Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA. Diane-rohlman@uiowa.eduJonathan W Davis - Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 145 N. Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAAhmed Ismail - Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, EgyptGaafar M Abdel Rasoul - Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, EgyptOlfat Hendy - National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, EgyptJames R Olson - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USAMatthew R Bonner - Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, State University of New York Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC public health, Vol.20(1), pp.679-679
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12889-020-08801-7
- PMID
- 32404149
- PMCID
- PMC7222587
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Public Health
- ISSN
- 1471-2458
- eISSN
- 1471-2458
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS R21 ES017223 / FIC NIH HHS R01 ES022163 / NIEHS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/13/2020
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; International Programs; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984066334602771
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