A Study to assess the effect of Planned Teaching on Knowledge and Practices regarding Health Hazards of Pesticides among Farmers in selected rural community, Pune
Gauri Ashok Gosavi1, Sheetal Kothare2
1Clinical Instructor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing (Critical Care Nursing)
MVP’S Institute of Nursing Education, Nashik.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, L.T. College of Nursing,
S.N.D.T. Women’s University.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: gaurigosavi122@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: India is an agriculture country. A farmer, therefore, occupies a very important place in our social set-up. He is the backbone of our country. Safe working conditions are essential for healthy living and for ensuring food security among farmers and farm communities in developing countries. Pesticides have become an integral part of present day farming, and play a major role in increasing agricultural productivity. However, the indiscriminate and extensive use of pesticides represents one of the major environmental and public health problems all over the world. Material and method: A quantitative approach with pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study. Total 60 farmers were selected as sample for study by using Non-probability convenience sampling technique. Inform consent was taken from farmers. To assess pre-test knowledge Pre-test was conducted by using structured interview schedule and practices were assessed by using inventory checklist. On the same day planned teaching was also administered. After 7 days post test was conducted to assess the gained in knowledge using the same structured interview schedule to assess post-test knowledge of farmers and on the same day self-reporting practices of farmers were assessed by using inventory checklist. Data was analyzed with the help of frequency, mean and standard deviation. ANOVA was used to determine the association between knowledge and practices of farmers after planned teaching regarding health hazards of pesticides with selected demographic variables. Results: Study Findings revealed that majority of the farmer (38%) were belongs to the age group of 31-50 years, Majority of the samples (80%) were male and remaining (20%) were female. (21.7%) of samples were illiterate, (51.7%) of samples were having the habit of smoking, majority (53%) of samples were involved in the farming since 11-20 years. (68.3%) of farmers worked in a field area for 1-5 hours per day, 100% of the farmers were not received any training on methods of safe handling pesticides. It was found that majority (56.7%) of farmers have various health problem related to exposure of pesticides. The study also found the positive co-relation (r= 0.55) between knowledge and practices of farmers after planned teaching. Conclusion: There was significant difference in the pre-test and post-test knowledge and practice score of farmers, which indicates planned Teaching was effective in improving knowledge and practices of farmers on health hazards of pesticides. The administration of planned Teaching acts as guiding key for farmers to improve knowledge and practices and aware themes self about health hazards of pesticides.
KEYWORDS: Planned Teaching, Farmer, Health Hazards, Pesticides, Rural community.
INTRODUCTION:
“What you see depends on how you view the world. To most people this is just dirt. To a farmer it’s potential” - Doe Zantamata
In modern agriculture, pesticides are inevitable inputs in agro-ecosystems in spite of the variety of problems associated with them. In the world 44% of the insecticides, 30% of herbicides, 21% of fungicides and others 5% are used; while in India, 76% of insecticides, 13% of fungicides, 10% of herbicides and 1% others are used1. Most pesticides used in agriculture today are synthetic organic chemicals that act by interfering with a vital metabolic process in the organisms to which they are targeted. Many of these chemicals are mutagenic and linked to the development of cancer or may lead to birth defects2.
At present, India is the largest producer of pesticides in Asia and ranks twelfth in the world for the use of pesticides with an annual production of 90,000 tones. Vast majority of the population 56.7% in India is engaged in agriculture and are therefore, exposed to the pesticides used. However, the indiscriminate and extensive use of pesticides represents one of the major environmental and public health problems all over the world3.
Farmers and especially those directly involved in the handling of pesticides, are at a high risk of exposure to pesticides through contact with pesticide residues on treated crops, unsafe handling, storage and disposal practices, poor maintenance of spraying equipment, and the lack of protective equipment or failure to use it properly.
According to NDTV report (October 8, 2017) around 20 farmers have died in the September due to poisoning after spraying pesticides, some of them lethal mixtures. They skipped wearing protective gear. The first death was reported in early August. Over 600 farmers have been affected by pesticide inhalation since. With symptoms like blurred vision, nausea, skin rashes, headaches and dizziness, over 100 farmers are still recovering at the district hospital in Yavatmal. Some have lost their sight and others are in the intensive care unit or ICU in a critical state.
Agriculture engages about 1.3 billion people worldwide, almost 60% of whom live in developing countries. Agriculture has been identified as one of the most hazardous sectors in the world, and it is estimated that of
335,000 fatal work-related accidents occurring worldwide every year, some 170,000 involve agricultural workers. Large numbers of the world’s agricultural workers also suffer serious work-related injuries and diseases caused by machinery, chemicals, and animals4 .
For sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment and human health, the importance of using safe pesticides has assumed global importance subsequent to the ‘Earth Summit’ in 1992. However, majority of the pesticides act like blunt weapons that kill organisms, in addition to target pests 5 .
1. To assess the knowledge of farmers regarding health hazards of pesticides before and after planned teaching.
2. To assess the practices of farmers regarding health hazards of pesticides before and after planned teaching.
3. To compare knowledge and practice of farmers regarding health hazards of pesticides after planned teaching.
4. Identify the association between knowledge and practice of farmers after planned teaching regarding health hazards of pesticides with selected demographic variables (age, education,).
MATERIAL AND METHOD:
A quantitative approach with pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study. Total 60 farmers were selected as sample for study by using Non-probability convenience sampling technique. Inform consent was taken from farmers. To assess pre-test knowledge Pre-test was conducted by using structured interview schedule and practices were assessed by using inventory checklist. on the same day planned teaching was also administered. After 7 days post test was conducted to assess the gained in knowledge using the same structured interview schedule to assess post-test knowledge of farmers and on the same day self-reporting practices of farmers were assessed by using inventory checklist. Data was analyzed with the help of frequency, mean and standard deviation. ANOVA was used to determine the association between knowledge and practices of farmers after planned teaching regarding health hazards of pesticides with selected demographic variables.
1. Individual willing to participate in the study.
2. Participants able to speak and understand English, Marathi or Hindi.
3. Farmers using herbicides.
1. Individual who have mental illness.
2. Individual who are not present at the time of study
The collected data was organized, tabulated and analyzed by using descriptive statistics that is in frequency, percentage; mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics ‘t’ test, ANOVA test are used to determine the association between knowledge and practices of farmers regarding health hazards of pesticides with selected demographic variables.
Study Findings revealed that majority of the farmer (38%) were belongs to the age group of 31-50 years, Majority of the samples (80%) were male and remaining (20%) were female. (21.7%) of samples were illiterate, (51.7%) of samples were having the habit of smoking, majority (53%) of samples were involved in the farming since 11-20 years. (68.3%) of farmers worked in a field area for 1-5 hours per day, 100% of the farmers were not received any training on methods of safe handling pesticides. It was found that majority (56.7%) of farmers have various health problem related to exposure of pesticides. On assessment of farmers it was found that majority (45.0%) farmers complaint of headache, (66.7%) farmers had blurred vision, (16.7) samples deafness present, (15%) farmers gums were infected, (6.7%) farmers tongue was coated, (60%) farmers complaint of rashes on skin, (23.3%) farmers blood pressure found 140 or higher/90 or high, (20%) farmers reported absences of pregnancies, (21.7%) farmers reported presence of joint swelling, (25%) farmers reported complaint of joint pain.
The difference was statistically tested by ANOVA. The F- value was 2.014 which was less than tabulated value at 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, there is no significant difference between post-test knowledge score of the farmers belongs to the age group of 21-35 years, 36-50 years, 51-65 years, and >65 years. This shows homogencity between knowledge and demographic variables.
The F- value was 2.317 which was less than tabulated value at 0.05 level of significance. There for there is no significant diffrence between post-test knowledge score of farmers belongs to illiterate, primary, secondary, higher secondary and above education. This shows homogencity between knowledge and demographic variable.
Table No.1- Significance Difference of Overall Mean Knowledge Score of Samples before and after the Planned Teaching N=60
|
Particulars |
M |
SD |
SED |
t Value tabulated |
‘t’ Value calculated |
Significance |
|
Pre-test |
26.73 |
4.28 |
0.8032 |
1.671 (0.05level) |
24.88 |
Significant at 0.05 level |
|
Post-test |
46.73 |
2.96 |
df=58
Table No. 2- Significance Difference Of Overall Mean Practice Score Of Samples Before And After The Planned Teaching N=60
|
Particulars |
M |
SD |
SED |
t Value tabulated |
‘t’ Value calculated |
Correlation r |
Significance |
|
pre |
11.96 |
2.70 |
0.63 |
1.671 (0.05level) |
13.2 |
-0.27718 |
Significant at 0.05 level |
|
post |
20.3 |
1.86 |
df=58
Table No.3- Co-Relation of Knowledge and Practice score N=60
|
Variables |
Co-efficient of co-relation |
Interpretation |
|
Post-test knowledge score |
0.557508 |
Positive co-relation |
|
Post-test practice score |
There was positive relationship present between knowledge and practices of samples.
Table No.4- Relationship between Knowledge Scores and Demographic Variables (Age Group)
|
Demographic variables |
GROUP |
D.F |
TAB VALUE |
F-VALUE |
P- VALUE |
RESULT |
|
1. Age group |
21-35 |
(3,56) |
2.76 |
2.014 |
0.122 |
Not significant |
|
36-50 |
||||||
|
51-65 |
||||||
|
>65 YEARS |
Table.5- Relationship Between Knowledge Scores And Demographic Variables (Education)
|
Demographic variable |
GROUP |
D.F |
TAB VALUE |
F- VALUE |
P- VALUE |
RESULT |
|
2.Education |
Illiterate |
(3,56) |
2.76 |
2.317 |
0.081 |
Not significant |
|
Primary |
||||||
|
Secondary |
||||||
|
Higher secondary and above |
There was significant difference in the pre-test and post-test knowledge and practice score of farmers, which indicates planned Teaching was effective in improving knowledge and practices of farmers on health hazards of pesticides. The administration of planned Teaching acts as guiding key for farmers to improve knowledge and practices and aware themes self about health hazards of pesticides.
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2. Biswas T.D. and Mukherjee S.K. A Textbook of Soil Science, Tata McGraw Hill. New Delhi.1987.
3. Kadam G.L. and Baig Mirza I.A. A Textbook of Agricultural Meteorology, Shri Rajlaxmi Prakashan, Aurangabad. 2014.
4. Abbassy MMS. Farmer’s Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, and their Exposure to Pesticide Residues after Application on the Vegetable and Fruit Crops. Case Study: North of Delta, Egypt. Journal of Environmental and Analytical Toxicology. 2017; 7: 510. DOI: 10.4172/2161-0525.1000510
5. Banerjee, I., Tripathi, S. K., Roy, A. S., & Sengupta, P. Pesticide use pattern among farmers in a rural district of West Bengal, India. Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine. 2014; 5(2): 313-6.
Received on 20.10.2023 Modified on 27.11.2023
Accepted on 20.12.2023 © A&V Publications all right reserved
Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2024; 12(1):53-56.
DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2024.00012