Individual Risk Factors for Exposure to Pesticide among Small Scale Coffee Farm Workers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Mutegi, Winjoy Kageni, | |
| dc.contributor.author | Nyamari, Jackim M. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Gitonga, Eliphas | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-09T11:45:24Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-09T11:45:24Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-01 | |
| dc.description | Article | |
| dc.description.abstract | According to the population census of 2019, about 70% of the Kenyan population is rural. Most of whom depend heavily on rainfed agriculture under unstable climate conditions. This is also the case in Kirinyaga County where majority of the coffee farmers are small scale farmers who rely on the crop for income generation activities that require the use of pesticides to increase yields. The overdependence on pesticides has resulted in overuse and exposures of pesticides and uninformed mixing of pesticides in an effort to manage the low labor costs and meeting output needs and requirements at end of the harvest which has resulted consequently in poor health of farm workers. The main objective of this study was to establish the incidence of occupational acute pesticide toxicities among small scale coffee farm workers in Kirinyaga, determine the levels of perception and behavior of smallscale farmers regarding occupational usage of pesticide and determine the factors associated with occupational acute pesticide toxicities in relation to small scale coffee farm workers. The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study sampled a population of 399 respondents who were randomly selected in the five wards in Kirinyaga central sub county namely Mutira North and South, Kanye-ine, Kirinyaga central and Inoi wards. An electronic based semi-structured questionnaire using KOBO Toolkit, observational checklists and plates were used in data collection. Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences SPSS version 25.0. The relationship between independent and dependent variables was determined using chi-squared tests. Significant risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression and expressed as odds ratios. The study established that the incidence risk for acute pesticide poisoning symptoms was 52.3% with the most common symptoms being headaches (95.7%), diarrhea (98.8%), skin rashes (88%), staggering (81.9%) and dizziness (81.9%). The perception levels that were found significant in line with acute pesticide poisoning were those of effect to human health (p=0.031) and environment (p=0.027). Additionally, perceived failure to use safety equipment increased potential for Acute pesticide Poisoning(p=0.041)(OR= 2.199) .statistically significant individual risk factors identified were worker characteristics of drinking alcohol( OR= 0.033)and eating during pesticide application (OR= 0.537); socio-demographic characteristics of gender(OR=0.035), level of education (OR=0.024) and employment status(OR= 0.011); the safety practices of wearing PPEs(OR= 1.305), taking a systemic shower (OR= 0.537). A farm worker who washed hands was 2.042 times less likely to exhibit symptoms of APP. Hospital staff reported they had no means in terms of equipment and technical expertise to identify pesticide poisoning symptoms. Nevertheless, cases of Acute Pesticide Poisoning were hardly reported at health facilities among farmers because of the common nature of symptoms with other common illnesses. This study concluded that there is a high incidence risk among small-scale farmers for occupational APP. The varying individual risk factors and perceptions are indicative of the need for a multi- disciplined approach to training to help minimize adverse effects associated with pesticide exposure and to encourage approaches already in use that can minimize the harmful effects of pesticide use in coffee production. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Kageni, M. W., Nyamari, J. M., & Gitonga, E. (2024). Individual risk factors for exposure to pesticide among small scale coffee farm workers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Global Scientific Journal | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2320-9186 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/31661 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.title | Individual Risk Factors for Exposure to Pesticide among Small Scale Coffee Farm Workers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Article |