Usage of pesticides among people living in a coastal plain commune of Central Vietnam in 2018

Abstract

The focus of this study was pesticide use among farmers in a coastal plain of Central Vietnam. A cross - sectional descriptive study, combining qualitative and quantitative, was conducted on people who used pesticides in Huong Toan commune, Huong Tra, Thua Thien Hue, in 2018. The pre - designed questionnaire to directly interview 403 farmers and the discussion guide to organize 4 group discussions were used. The results showed that 51.6% of the farmers bought pesticides based on their experience. About 45% of people mixed and determined the dose to be mixed according to the instructions on the package and label of the pesticides. 34.5% did not pay attention to the wind direction or sprayed against the wind. Only 6.7% of subjects used fully basic protective equipment. The percentage of respondents who threw away the packaging and wrappers of pesticides directly in the field was 22.1%, and 74.4% collected them to dispose of as part of household waste. 22.8% of households stored the pesticides in their houses, kitchens, and barns. The proportion of people using unsafe pesticides was still relatively high, mainly based on their habits and personal experiences. It is necessary to increase education on the risks of pesticides to improve the knowledge and safe use of pesticides among farmers.