Pesticide poisoning among farmers in a health area in Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the incidence and the prevalence of pesticide poisoning in Kelaniya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. 2. To establish causes of pesticide poisoning in the community. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey based on 10% cluster sample of agricultural workers. SETTING: Kelaniya MOH area situated 10 km north-east of Colombo, during April 1986 to May 1987. FUNDING: Natural Resources Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka. RESULTS: The percentage of pesticide users ever poisoned in the past was 21.7% and during the year before the study was 7.5%. CONCLUSION: Lack of knowledge on pesticides and inability to afford protective clothing are the major factors contributing to pesticide poisoning.