Exploring Pesticide Knowledge, Practices, and Health Perceptions Among Farmers in Akkar, Lebanon

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Unregulated pesticide use in Lebanon poses significant health and environmental risks.
• Small-scale farmers in Akkar face heightened vulnerability due to limited knowledge and resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess pesticide knowledge, practices, and health impacts among Akkar farmers.
• To identify intervention gaps for enhancing safety and sustainability in pesticide application.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of 151 farmers in Akkar was conducted using a validated questionnaire.
• Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and regression, were employed to evaluate data.

Main Results:

• Farmers exhibited moderate knowledge (0.545) and practices (0.607) regarding pesticide use.
• Low environmental awareness (9.3% recognized water contamination risks), high rates of non-protective gear usage (37.7%), and significant adverse health symptoms (67.5%) were observed.
• Educational attainment was a significant predictor of farmer knowledge (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Tailored educational programs are crucial for improving pesticide safety.
• Accessible personal protective equipment and stricter regulations are necessary.
• Strategies for environmental conservation and sustainable pesticide management are urgently needed.