Analysis of Moghan Plain Farmers’ Health-safety Behavior towards Using Chemical Pesticides

Today, the use of chemical pesticides in the world is considered to be the most effective, fastest and cheapest pest control method. Although, chemical pesticides are essential components of modern agriculture, it is also considered one of the most important sources of environmental pollution and its exposure is one of the most common and serious health-safety hazards faced by farmers. The purpose of this study was to analyze the health-safety behavior on the use of chemical pesticides among farmers of Moghan plain. The statistical population of this study was farmers of water crops in Bilesavar, Parsabad, Germi counties in the years of 2017-2018 (N = 9996). The sample size was determined by multi-stage sampling method and using Kerjesi and Morgan table (1970), (n= 400). The content validity of the research tool was confirmed by panel of faculty members and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha. According to the findings, the attitude of the majority of farmers (34%) was relatively positive on the use of chemical pesticides. Also, farmers with a job satisfaction from agriculture, lacking a second job and higher education, had higher health- safety behaviors than using chemical pesticides. Based on the results of the structural equation model, variables of knowledge (the most important variable), attitude and experience of poisoning by chemical pesticides have predicted 88 percent of the changes affecting the health effects of farmers on the use of pesticides.