QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PINEAPPLE PLANTERS IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHEMICAL PESTICIDE AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZER USED IN HEALTH REGION 8 THAILAND

Abstract

Background: The pesticide is widely used among agricultural works. It could deteriorate the environment and health of the consumers and also the health and quality of life of the planters. The pineapple planters also use chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However, the study on pineapple planter's quality of life in Thailand was limited.

Objective: To study the factors of a chemical pesticide and fertilizer used that as associated with a quality of life of Pineapple planters in Health region 8 of Thailand.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study. Data collected in 2019, with 535 samples obtained from systematic random sampling in Health region 8 by questionnaires. Descriptive statistics analysis was used by percentage, mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, and logistic regression with 95%CI.

Results: Around 72.90% used pesticides (95 % CI: 68.92 to 76.62) and used chemical fertilizer for 66.92% (95 % CI: 62.75 to 70.89). The process of pineapples growing showed the majority or 75.14% had the quality of life at a moderate level. The factors associated with quality of life of pineapple planters were pesticides use (ORadjusted=1.91; 95 % CI: 1.13 to 3.24; p-value <0.001) and chemical fertilizer use (ORAdjusted=3.01; 95 % CI: 1.79 to 5.03; p-value <0.001).

Conclusion: Suggestions to reduce the chemical level in the blood through disseminating knowledge to protect the planters from a direct exposing chemical, such as a chemical mixing, gloves wearing, or using a mask when handling or spraying the chemicals. Annual health check-ups and regular checks for pesticide levels in the blood should be given.

Keywords: quality of life, pineapple planters, chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.