Risk behaviors related agrochemical use among rubber farmers in Southern of Thailand

Abstract

The study objective was to evaluate the knowledge, beliefs and behaviors regarding agrochemical safety behaviors among farmers among farmers in the Khogyang community, Trang province, Thailand between the period September and December 2012. The principles of Health Belief Model and community participatory approach were applied to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce agrochemical risk their behavior. 316 farmers from 8 villages in Khogyang community were recruited. The mean scores of the 3 variables (knowledge, belief and behavior) regarding agrochemical safety were measured. The results revealed that knowledge of farmer participants on agrochemical use was observed at low level. The level of overall belief regarding agrochemical safety was observed at moderate level. The mean scores of perceived susceptibility, seriousness, barriers, and benefits of agrochemical safety were 3.85 + 0.74, 3.52 + 0.56, 3.61+0.39 and 3.66+0.96, respectively. Behavior of farmer participants on agrochemical safety was also observed at moderate level. There were positive statistically significant correlations between knowledge and behavior scores; and overall belief and behavior scores (r = 0.336 and 0.621, respectively). In addition, statistically significant predictive variables associated agrochemical safety behavior were knowledge and belief on agrochemical use (Beta = 0.120 and 0. 0.576, respectively). These predictors accounted for 39.80 percents of variance. All predictors were positively related to agrochemical use behavior. The most common of agrochemicals use in the Kogyang community was “Glyphosate”. Health risk behaviors regarding agrochemical use were lack of attention to safety precautions and the use of inappropriate protective gear. These are an elementary guide that is useful in introducing the ideas of community involvement in agrochemical safety behaviors © 2013 European Journal of Research on Education by IASSR.