Applying pesticides in cotton fields - Risks knowledge and practices in Senegal

Introduction

Pesticides are largely used in the cotton farms of the South-Eastern Senegal during the raining season. Applying of pesticides exposes workers to high risks of intoxication particularly when good practices are not applied. In order to approach these chemical risks, with the Occupational Health Departure of University of Dakar, a study was carried out about knowledge and practices of the pesticides appliers.

Methods
A transversal study was conducted on records of 300 pesticides appliers in main cotton farms from May to June 2007. Socio-economical profile, level of health risks information, behaviors concerning means for protection and practices when applying pesticides were collated. Biases were considered and Data analyzed using Epi Info and Pearson coefficient.

Results
90.4% of appliers were men with a mean of 41 years old and 16.8 years of experience in cotton farming and 57.3% alphabetized. 52% knew the possibility of intoxication by dermal route against 95.7% for the oral root. 91% of workers evocated possibility of acute intoxication during manipulation of pesticides while 69% spoke of chronic effects. Less than7% of appliers put regularly masks or goggles when applying pesticides while the 49% carried adapted clothes. 59.6% take a bath after work. 24% use empty containers of pesticides as water utensil at work.

Discussion
This is the first study in cotton pesticides risks in Senegal. Pesticides risks Knowledge and practices are more positively influenced by level of alphabetization than by period of experience in farming. The findings of this study indicate the need for assessment of the training on pesticides security, to improve the level of alphabetization and information about root of intoxication and chronic effects of pesticides, to define a policy of availability and use of means for personal protection and to get better management for empty containers