HEALTH HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT AMONG THREE DIFFERENT FARMER GROUPS IN PHRANAKORN SI AYUTTHAYA PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study occupational health hazards and risk assessment among three farmer groups and to propose guidelines for setting up occupational health management in farmer groups. METHOD: The cross-sectional study of 315 rice, vegetable, and melon farmers in Phranakorn Si, Ayutthaya province, Thailand. The tool for data collection was a two-part questionnaire: (1) general characteristics, and (2) risk assessment from pesticide use, working behavior, and symptoms from exposure to agricultural chemicals. The questionnaire was scored on 5 levels, and the relationship was assessed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Farmers in each group are exposed to different health hazards according to the production process. The risk assessment level was low in each group: the melon group (91%), the vegetable group (89.1%), and the rice group (53.3%). The association between risk assessment levels and associated factors was statistically significant in the rice group (p = 0.019; OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.22–5.97). (OR = 7.89, 95% CI = 1.98 – 31.35) in the vegetable group, and p = 0.023 (OR= 5.44, 95% CI = 1.32 – 22.43) in the melon group, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that guidelines for occupational health management should account for differences in occupational and health hazards across groups. Nevertheless, the operation of occupational health management will be successful with close cooperation from all three parties: government agencies, community leaders, and local farmers.