Pesticide Poisoning among Farmers in a Rural Province of Korea

概要

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Pesticide poisoning is one of the most important occupational health hazards for farmers, but the exact prevalence or incidence of the poisoning has not been fully investigated in Korea. The present study assessed the pesticide poisoning in a rural province of Korea based on episodes reported by farmers. The total number of interviewees in this survey was 8,831. Of these, only 8,420 farmers who worked longer than one hour every day during the past one year were included in the analysis. Questionnaires collected from 8,420 persons were analyzed by means of a SAS statistical package. The average days spent for pesticide spraying was 6.8; the farmers at work experienced pesticide-related symptoms during the last one-year period at the rate of 7.O%; the average length of a hospital stay was 4.4 d: and the period of clinic visit averaged 1.7 d. Pesticide poisoning was statistically related with age, sex, region of residence and degree of pesticide use. Among the complaints in the farmers' syndrome, pesticide poisoning was significantly related with shoulder stiffness, sleeplessness, dizziness and a feeling of abdominal fullness, but not with lumbago, limb paresthesia, nocturnal frequency or dyspnea. The present data offer the baseline for the health resources planning and rural health program.