The practices of spray operators in the Mpumalanga Malaria Control Programme using insecticides for residual indoor spraying

ABSTRACT

Pesticide poisoning poses a health risk to individuals throughout the world. In Mpumalanga Province spray teams apply local insecticides to indoor surfaces of households just prior to the rainy season to control malaria. Workers are exposed to pesticides during this process. This cross sectional study compared prescribed safe handling and deltamethrin application practices of Mpumalanga malaria spray operators versus actual practices in the field. Most (91) of the spray operators were included in the study. A tick list and interview was utilized to observe field practices and enquire about reasons for non-compliance. Only 28 of operators complied with all prescribed safe handling practices. Gloves; face shields and masks were not utilized as recommended and contributed to the highest levels of non-compliance. Compliance was found to be dependent on gender; age; years of experience; education level and employment status. The low compliance rate necessitates further investigation of the malaria programme occupational safety management system. All stakeholders need to be aware of the consequences of pesticide poisoning and to collaborate in efforts to work towards prevention