Efficacy of Promoting Behavior Program for Safe Use of Pesticides and use of Laurel-leaved thunbergia in reducing harm from pesticides in Kaeng Kai sub-district, Sangkhom district, Nong Khai province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to assess the effectiveness of a program promoting safe behavior in the use of chemical pesticides and the consumption of Laurel-leaved thunbergia in reducing the risk of pesticide exposure among farmers in Khaeng Kai Sub-District, Sangkhom District, Nong Khai Province, Thailand. The study involved 57 participants. Data collection tools included interviews regarding pesticide usage behavior and the measurement of blood cholinesterase levels using a reactive paper. The intervention activities consisted of a program promoting safe behavior in the use of chemical pesticides and the consumption of Laurel-leaved thunbergia capsules (400 mg) taken at a dose of two capsules, three times a day before meals for a duration of no more than five consecutive days. Data analysis employed paired t-test and McNemar's Chi-square test, conducted between October 2565 and December 2565.The study results revealed that the majority of farmers were male (82.46%), with an average age of 46.94 years. They had completed primary education (59.65%) and had been using pesticides for a period ranging from 6 to 10 years (42.11%, with a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 21 years). The most commonly used chemical pesticide was carbamate (52.63%). After the intervention, it was found that the farmers' average score for risky pesticide usage behavior decreased from 23.73 to 17.28, indicating a reduction of 6.45 points (95% CI: 5.42-7.48, p-value < 0.001). The safe blood cholinesterase level increased from 59.65 before the intervention to 68.42% after the intervention, representing an improvement of 8.77%. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-intervention results (95% CI of diff: 1.03-27.03, p-value < 0.05). Therefore, the consumption of Laurel-leaved thunbergia should be implemented alongside the promotion of appropriate and correct pesticide usage behavior among farmers.