Attitudes and behaviors about pesticides use among greenhouse workers in Fars province

Pesticides, despite their known toxicity, are widely used in developing counties. Evaluating the patterns of their use would be interesting to assess the appropriateness of adequate intervention. In this study, the attitudes associated with pesticides use and exposure were evaluated among greenhouse workers, in Fars province. A standardized quastionnaire was completed by 91 greenhouse workers. The average age of the sample was 31 years and 16.5 % were illiterate. They were divided to three groups: greenhouse labours, managers, and labours-managers. Although the majority of respondent considered pesticides to be harmful for human health and environment, pesticides were used without adequate precaution and, control, mainly, due to lack of knowledge regarding alternative ways to control pests and deseases. Personal experience was the main source of information. The results indicated that special educational programs, legislation promoting the use of safer pesticides, introduction of integrated pest management are necessary to decrease harmful effects of pesticide among greenhouse workers in Fars.