Pesticide poisoning among farmers in a health area in Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the incidence and the prevalence of pesticide poisoning in Kelaniya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. 2. To establish causes of pesticide poisoning in the community.

DESIGN

Questionnaire survey based on 10% cluster sample of agricultural workers.

SETTING

Kelaniya MOH area situated 10 km north-east of Colombo, during April 1986 to May 1987.

FUNDING

Natural Resources Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka.

RESULTS

The percentage of pesticide users ever poisoned in the past was 21.7% and during the year before the study was 7.5%.

CONCLUSION

Lack of knowledge on pesticides and inability to afford protective clothing are the major factors contributing to pesticide poisoning.