Knowledge, attitude, and behavior of farmers in the use of pesticides with health complaints in Cikandang Village, Cikajang Sub-District, Garut Regency 2017

The use of pesticides in addition to provide benefits to control pests can also have the impacts both on humans and the environment. Therefore, pesticides should be used simultaneously according to the type, dose, target, manner, and time of application. Incorrect use of pesticides can lead to various health effects, both acute and chronic. This study was aimed to determine relationships between knowledge, attitude, and actions of farmers in the use of pesticides with a health complaint of farmers in the Cikandang Village, Cikajang District, Garut Regency. The study used cross sectional design. The samples involved in this research were 100 people who were pesticide sprayers in Cikandang Village, using accidental sampling method. Based on univariate results, 57% farmers had poor knowledge, 82% farmers had good attitude, and 79% farmers had bad behavior. According to bivariate analysis, it was found that behavior (OR = 4, 24) had significant relationship with health complaint. These results indicated that counseling on pesticides and personal protective equipment for pesticide sprayers (PPE) was needed to avoid health complaint.