Development of the Community Potential to Reduce Risk Behavior of using Pesticide in Kom Kok Soong Sub-district Administration Organization, Wang Sam Mor district, Udonthani Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research article were 1) to study the situation of chemical use problems in Kham Khok Sung Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Wang Sam Mo District, Udon Thani Province; 2) to screen for the risk of cholinesterase enzyme in the blood of farmers in the community; and 3) to develop the community's potential to reduce risk behaviors from the use of pesticide. It was a mixed methods research. The study was divided into 3 stages: a focus group discussion to study the situation of chemical use problems in the area; cholinesterase enzyme screening in farmers' blood and developing the potential of leaders through SWOT analysis and training on self-protection from the use of pesticides. The tools used in the study were topics in specific group discussions. Farmers’ work risk assessment from pesticide exposure and a kit to measure the level of cholinesterase in the blood. The statistics used in the research were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results of the research revealed that 1) the main agriculture of the community was sugarcane, cassava cultivation and farming. Most of the farmers were not trained in how to protect themselves from chemical exposure both during and after the injection. There was a moderate level of health risk in primary work, 40.66%; 2) the cholinesterase enzyme level in the blood of farmers was found to be at risk and unsafe levels, 73.63%; and 3) from the results of the SWOT analysis of the leaders found that there were strengths in the structure of personnel agencies and support community leaders. While weaknesses and obstacles came from farmers lacking knowledge and funds and opportunities developed from technological advances that made information accessible to people easily and quickly. The results of the SWOT analysis were applied to the training.