Pesticide Sprayed Horticultural Farmers Behaviour Profile and Obstructive Lung Impairment

Author

Bernie Piet1, Aria Kekalih2, Mukhtar Ikhsan3
1Program Magister Kedokteran Kerja Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
2Departemen Ilmu Kedokteran Komunitas, Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
3Departemen Pulmonologi dan Kedokteran Respirasi Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia, RSUP Persahabatan,Jakarta

Abstract
Background: The improperly used of pesticide could increase the risk of obstructive lung impairment. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of obstructive lung impairment, farmers behavior profile and its relationship with obstructive lung impairment.
Methods: This study was designed as a cross sectional study with 99 pesticide sprayed horticultural farmers as the respondents taken by cluster random sampling. The study was conducted in May to June 2016 in Cibeureum village.Data was collected by interview and spirometry examination. Variables studied were exposure intensity using Sulistomo scoring method, consisted of: work task, personal protective equipments usage, habitual personal hygiene, behavior profile of storing pesticides, prior to spraying and handling the pesticide’s empty containers.
Results: Total prevalence of obstructive lung impairment was 18.2%. Behavior profile of storing pesticides, prior to spraying and handling the pesticides’ empty containers had not represented a picture of safe work practises yet. The proportion of the farmers with high intensity of pesticide exposure was 25.3%. The intensity of pesticide exposure was not significantly related with obstructive lung impairment event. Behavior profile among pesticides sprayed horticultural farmers which increased the risk of obstructive lung impairment event were storing the pesticide at home (adjusted OR: 4.85, CI95% 1.27-18.55), not checking the equipments prior to spraying pesticides (adjusted OR : 3.83, CI95% 1.07-13.66).
Conclusion: Prevalence of obstructive lung impairment was quite high and the pesticide sprayed horticultural farmer behavior profile increased the risk of obstructive lung impairment. (J Respir Indo. 2017; 37: 215-24)

Keywords: Behavior profile, intensity of pesticide exposure, obstructive lung impairment, Sulistomo scoring method.

Download article here