The status of pesticide usage in East Africa

A descriptive epidemiologic study using pretested questionnaires was conducted in East Africa in 1989/90 and looked at various types of pesticides in current usage in the region especially with regard to their procurement, distribution and utilization. Hospital records were examined for reported cases of pesticide poisoning as well as assessing the knowledge and the awareness of health care providers on the recognition and potential of pesticide poisoning. The main pesticide importers in the region were the Ministries of Agriculture whereas distribution was dominated by co-operative unions. Although pesticide regulatory mechanisms existed, their weak structures enabled the importation and usage of pesticides no longer in use in the countries of origin. Incidents of abuse were noted, as in the use of organochlorine pesticides on food crops and reported poisoning cases in the district hospitals where Kenya and Tanzania reported 455 and 736 cases respectively. Though tentative, more than 40 % of the health care professionals interviewed could not recognise pesticide poisoning cases. Therefore to avert pesticide related morbidity and mortality in the region, pesticide regulatory bodies need strengthening while pesticide users, the general public and health care workers should be educated on pesticides.