Pesticide Use and Health Hazards among Small-Scale Commercial Vegetable Growers in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined pesticide use practices and related health hazards in a specific region in Ghana. A cross section survey design was conducted among a sample of 150 small-scale commercial vegetable growers in the Nsawam Adoagyiri municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. Information on demographic characteristics, pesticide practices and knowledge of health hazards in the interview schedule was administered to the respondents. Univariate and bivariate analyses were then conducted. The results of the study indicate that the mean score for all the various technical competencies of the vegetable farmers is 4.10 on the Likert scale of 1 to 5 and this could be attributed to training they received on pesticide use from extension agents. Not surprising, the respondents generally reported low levels of symptoms from health hazards with mean scores of headaches (1.5), excessive sweating (1.37), dizziness (1.22), diarrhea (1.06) and vomiting (1.04). However, the mean scores for eye irritation (2.65) and skin irritation (2.61) suggested they were common among many respondents based on not using personal protective clothing, including hand gloves (95.3%), face masks (98%), or overalls (96%). It is recommended that small-scale commercial vegetable growers’ access to and usage of personal protective clothing be promoted to reduce skin and eye irritation.

Keywords: Pesticides, health hazards, commercial vegetable growers, small-scale farms