Abstract:
Background: The use of agrochemicals instead of traditional organic farming methods to
prevent infections and harmful pests in crops is on the rise. The farmers spend a lot of time
exposed to these harmful agrochemicals. However, most of the farmers are not fully aware
of the health risks and complications that pesticides can cause to them due to exposure to
pesticides resulting from inadequate education, training and safety measures.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify health risk from use of agrochemicals and
the methods of using them by farmers in the central province of Sri Lanka. Further, to assess
the complications caused by use of agrochemicals and level of the first aid knowledge that
farmers have to overcome harmful situations.
Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was done on farmers who are over 25
years of age, in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. A convenient sampling was used for the
study with a self-administered data collection form based on a questionnaire.
Results and conclusions: Of 94 farmers participated, majority was between in the age
group of 35- 55. 78% of them were using fertilizers and 57% were using insecticides. 83%
used back pack spray as the application method. Only 7% were using goggles and 65% who
used personal protective equipment stated that they did not have any complications. Overall
78.7% of the farmers were aware about risks of agrochemicals whilst 39% of the farmers
who had education only till grade five, were not aware of the complications for their health
by agrochemicals. 50% of the farmers were suffering with headache, 44.7% had dizziness
while 32.7% had eye irritation. 40% of the farmers, who use agrochemicals weekly, has got
health complications. 41.9% of them use washing away the burned place with water as a
first aid. Most of the farmers were aware about the risks of agrochemicals but they do not
use protective measures to prevent health risks. The awareness about the first aid knowledge
was low among the study group.
