Abdulaziz, Mohammed (2010) An Assessment of Possible Health Risks of Using DDT and Farmers’ Perception Towards Toxicity of Pesticides Used on Khat (Catha Edulis): In Haromaya Woreda, Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
This research work assesses possible health risk of using DDT on Khat and farmers’ perception towards toxicity of pesticides sprayed on Khat. Personal interviews were completed with a random and purposive sample of 70 farmers, 5 health workers/officers/ and 5 agricultural workers /officers/. The observed study shows there is no any personal protective device (PPD) in the woreda at all, most farmers in the study area have no access to technical information on proper use of pesticides. In this study, thus, assessment of possible health risks of using DDT and farmers’ perception towards toxicity of pesticides used on Khat was undertaken. Results of interviews and questionnaires showed that majority of farmers in Haromaya area use DDT and other unknown pesticides to grow their Khat and majority of them mix DDT and other pesticides, especially malathion. Most of the farmers are illiterate and could not read and understand instruction on pesticides packages. Most of the interviewed farmers are chewers of Khat and have more than 10 years experience in spraying pesticides on Khat. Local markets, pesticides imported through smuggling, local health and agricultural bureaus were seen to be sources of DDT and other pesticides used on Khat. Most of the farmers have misperception on the toxicity of pesticides used on Khat. The chewers of sprayed Khat have also developed new health symptoms that were not known before the start of using DDT and other pesticides. The main purposes why farmers use pesticides on Khat are to control Khat pests that hinder its normal growth. Chewers of Khat produced with more chemical pesticides, in particular, experience acute adverse effects on the digestive system such as stomach irritation, bulging of belly, loss of appetite, and chronic adverse health effects including mouth dryness, headaches, and other related problems. Farmers who chew homemade Khat on which they sprayed chemical pesticides by themselves may have the highest possible health hazards. It is concluded that chewing Khat grown with chemical pesticides causes considerable adverse health effects in human beings as well as to consuming animals. However, majority of the farmers believe that advantages of using DDT and other pesticides on Khat overweighed its effects. In general, there is no any satisfactory intervention to tackle these problems. Therefore to fill this gap further research should be conducted.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > SF Animal culture |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Selom Ghislain |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jun 2018 13:46 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jun 2018 13:46 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/4209 |
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