Qualitative Adverse Health Experience Associated with Pesticides Usage among Farmers from Kura, Kano State, Nigeria

Open Access

Abstract

The battle to combat pesticide use in Kano State appears uppermost in the mind of the state government. Efforts are therefore, geared towards effective protection of the human and environmental rehabilitation. Hence, understanding the health and environmental risks posed by chemicals pesticides released into the environment is an important context for decision making in which emerging data streams may play a significant role. Over the following year, a range of studies that evaluated the potential impacts of chemical pesticides on development and growth in areas of skin irritation, hypersensitivity, reproductive abnormalities, neurological and behavioral disorders, cancer, premature hair greying, miscarriages, DNA mutation and genetic damage, and effects on biological processes can be the results of pesticide contamination in water, and food commodities. In such circumstances, it is critically important to interpret information from rapid assessments into forms that place high value on health protection and err on the side of precaution. This study assesses the effect and health problems associated with exposure to pesticides application among farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. A structure questionnaire was developed focusing on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and experience of adverse health effects related to pesticide use, details of work practices and an inventory of pesticides used on the farm. Of the 400 copies of questionnaire administered 392 copies representing 98% of the administered questionnaire was retrieved and found useable. Majority of the respondents (76.9%) were aware of the side effect of the use of pesticides with only 23.1% of the respondents not aware of the side effect of pesticide use, it can be deduced that less than half of the farmers who use insecticides are aware of its effect on the environment. This results add to the body of literature that examined the effect and health problems associated with exposure to pesticides application among farmers in Kano state, Nigeria. A ...