Association between occupational risks of exposure to pesticides and respiratory symptoms among organic and non organic farmworkers
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Date
2022
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Abstract
Respiratory problem is one of the main occupational health challenges faced by farmworkers, it can
occur while preparing and applying pesticides and during tasks in recently sprayed fields. Symptoms associated with
different respiratory problems include coughing, wheezing and airway inflammation are commonly observed among
farmworkers who are occupationally exposed to pesticides. In low and middle-income countries, epidemiological
evidence for the association between occupational exposure to pesticides and respiratory diseases in adults is limited.
The study employed a cross-sectional survey that ran from January to February 2021 using face to face semi-
structured questionnaire administered to farmworkers who were working on flower and coffee farms in Arusha and
Kilimanjaro. Approximately 384 farmworkers were randomly selected to participate in this study. The study
included organic and non-organic farmworkers who were directly engaged in agricultural activities and exclude
supporting staff such as human resource managers who were not engaged directly in agricultural activities. The
results indicate that non-organic farmers were at high risk of developing respiratory symptoms than organic
farmworkers. Non-organic farmers were significantly associated with cough, rhinitis, and shortness of breath among
farmworkers [adj. OR (95% CI) 31.94 (12.04, 84.70), 4.44 (2.61, 7.56) and 6.44 (1.98, 20.95)] respectively.
However, there should be a systematic collection of data about poisoning cases occurring in the farm areas with a
large number of employees so that effective measures can be taken to protect the farmers from chronic illnesses
associated with pesticide exposure, particularly respiratory problems in this case.
Description
American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease, Vol. 10, No. 1, 31-39
Keywords
Respiratory symptoms,, Occupational pesticides exposure, Farmworker