Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

This is a study conducted among 534 farmers in six municipalities in an agricultural area engaged in vegetable industry. It assessed the pesticide exposure and work practices of farmers, and identified physical and neurological health status of the farmers. Survey questionnaires were used to look into pesticide exposures and work practices. Physical health assessment was conducted by medical doctors. Laboratory examination of blood was also done. Majority were males (53.4%), married (80.5%) with a mean age of 47 years old. 40.9% who underwent the physical examination were diagnosed to have abnormal assessment results. Analyses indicated that pesticide use and risk factors were found to have association at p=0.05 with easy fatigability, weight loss, loss of appetite, cerebellar function, creatinine levels, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin count, and platelet count. These results underscore the need to improve protection measures so as to reduce the exposure of the population and environment to pesticides.

Biography

Lu is a Research Professor at the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila; and has published 15 ISI journals related to Occupational and Environmental Health. She is also a University Scientist, and has authored two books on the subject matter.