Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour of Iranian Pistachio Farmers about the Environmental Aspects of Pesticide Use, 2017-18

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Health Services and Health Promotion, School of Health, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

3 1Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

4 3Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran 4Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, B

Keywords


 

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour of Iranian Pistachio Farmers

about the Environmental Aspects of Pesticide Use, 2017-18

Leili Mazar (BSc)1, Mohammad Asadpour (PhD)2, Mostafa Nasirzadeh (PhD)2, Fatemeh Rokhforuz (MSc)1, Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi (PhD)3,4, Yaser Salim Abadi (PhD)5*

1 Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health,

Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

3 Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Faculty of Health,

Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
4 Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute,

Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

5 Department of Health Services and Health Promotion, School of Health,

Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

 

Received: 03.04.2019   Accepted: 04.05.2019

 

Abstract

 

Introduction: The use of pesticides has a significant negative effect on human health. The present study aims to assess pistachio farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and behaviour concerning the environmental effects of using pesticides.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 140 rural pistachio farmers of Rafsanjan City, Southern Iran, during the period from 2017 to 2018. Data were collected using a questionnaire with the variables of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour, with the validity and reliability of which having been confirmed. After data collection, the data were analysed by SPSS 16.0 using the statistical independent t-test, a one-way ANOVA, and the Pearson’s correlation test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant differences (P< 0.05) in the knowledge and attitude level of the research samples upon an increase in the level of literacy between those who participated in the training classes on health and safety principles during the spraying period and those who had not been trained at all. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the knowledge score of the samples, for health items, and adherence to safety principles during the spraying period in terms of age, work experience, spraying history, and the area under cultivation among the research samples (P> 0.05).

Conclusion: It is suggested that training sessions be held continuously on health issues as well as compliance with safety principles during the spraying period by professionals for all farmers to enhance their level of knowledge and attitude.

 


 

 Please cite this article as follows:

 

Mazar L, Asadpour M, Nasirzadeh M, Rokhforuz F, Sanei-Dehkordi A, Salim Abadi Y. knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of iranian pistachio farmers about the environmental aspects of pesticide use, 2017-18. Pistachio and Health Journal. 2019; 2 (2): 17-25.