2013, January: PhD student on Human health effects of chemical pesticide use (Beyene Negatu)

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Description of progress

Phase I cross-sectional questionnaire field survey has been carried out in Ethiopia.  Data on pesticide use, exposure factors, self-reported health effects (symptoms), confounding factors and health related KAP (Knowledge Altitude Practice) of farm workers, farmers and farm owners was collected using standardized questionnaires and also observational studies were contacted in those farms. In addition, survey of professionals’ KAP was done on professionals working in and in districts surrounding the farms (Large scale closed and small scale irrigated farms).

So far the following activities were accomplished.

  • Selection and mapping of the study populations ( both occupationally exposed and un-exposed)
  • Ratification and translation of the questionnaire to the national language
  • Pretesting of the questionnaire
  • Data collectors’ selection and Training
  • Large and small scale farms survey
  • Distribution and collection of  Professional KAP questionnaires
  • Observational studies
  • Survey of occupationally un-exposed study subjects
  • Coding of the questionnaires for  data entry

Objectives achieved, deliverables

  • Pesticide use data from large scale closed and small scale irrigated farms.
  • Data concerning pesticide exposure, confounding factors and health effects from a total of 762 study subjects (338 female and 424 male), 469 were occupationally exposed and 293 were occupationally un-exposed.
  • KAP survey data of 469 farmers, farm owners and workers and also KAP data from 133 professionals (Health and Agricultural).
  • Observational study data from both large scale and small scale farms.
  • Coded XL data sheet.