Uncovering Health Hazards from Agricultural Practices Among Farmers in a Caribbean Country: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Highlights: There is a need to close the gap in farmers' knowledge about natural pesticides and safer alternatives to agrochemicals. A system for routine, affordable medical care would encourage clinical presentation to capture occupational health data. Appropriate content and medium are critical for impact among the high number of farmers completing only primary school.

Abstract: Globally, low- and middle-income countries bear the highest disease burden from the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. Few recent studies directly assess agrihealth and food safety hazards from pesticide use in the smaller Caribbean islands. This study aims to close this gap and support the development of evidence-based policy and interventions for agrihealth. Secondary data was analyzed from a retrospective cross-sectional survey to examine the use of hazardous pesticides in crop production, handling and application practices, and farmers' health in a Caribbean island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The implications for health and food safety are discussed with recommendations to improve agrihealth in the country. Over 90% of farmers reported use of commercial pesticides in crop production. The active ingredients of commonly used products were classified as moderately, highly, and extremely hazardous by the World Health Organization, which is significant for health and food safety. Statistically significant associations were not found between the use of pesticides and farmers' demographics, indicating these factors did not affect the pattern of usage. Over 40% of the farmers reported experiencing symptoms of arthritis and wheezing, respectively, and 15% reported respiratory problems. Mixing 2 or more pesticides was common (41.5%), of which 56.8% reported no knowledge of natural pesticides available in the country. Knowledge about natural pesticides was significantly associated with region (p < 0.05). A range of personal protective equipment was used but appeared not to be in full complement. Training in pesticide handling, storage, and application was limited. There is a need to strengthen systems to monitor stewardship in agrochemical use, farmers' health surveillance, and agricultural food safety practices. Studies are needed to further examine the public health and food safety effects in the context of the wider community. This study, however, provides a basis for immediate interventions to improve health and food safety in the country.