The relationship between pesticide exposure and neuropathy in farmers in Wuluhan district

Abstract

Farmers rely heavily on pesticides to protect crops from pests. Pesticides exposure will inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and will cause cholinergic symptoms which manifest as neuropathy. The research was conducted in March-April 2023 in Wuluhan District, Jember Regency. Pesticide exposure was evaluated through interviews using a pesticide exposure questionnaire, while neuropathy was evaluated through interviews and physical examination using the Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom Score-Indonesian version (DNS-Ina) and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination-Indonesian version (DNE-Ina) questionnaires. Univariate data analysis and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test. The results of this study showed that most of the study subjects had worked 10 years, the frequency of using pesticides ≤2 times per week, the duration of using pesticides ≤3 hours per day, the use of PPE is lacking. Bivariate analysis showed that neuropathy occurred in the farmer group, and there was a significant relationship between length of service and neuropathy, as well as the completeness of PPE use and neuropathy. However, there was no relationship between the frequency of pesticide use and neuropathy and the duration of pesticide use and neuropathy. The conclusion of this study is that the variable length of service and the completeness of the use of PPE have a relationship with the symptoms of neuropathy in farmers. While the variables of frequency and duration of use of pesticides are not related to neuropathy in farmers.