Factors affecting cholinesterase level among insecticide-exposed vegetable farmers in prek Balatchheng, Cambodia: A case study

Abstract

ABSTRACT          This study aimed to determine factors affecting cholinesterase (chE) levels among 153 insecticide-exposed vegetable farmers in one Cambodian village, where 153 factory workers were selected as a comparative non-exposed group. The research instruments were questionnaires and reactive-paper test kits. The study data were analyzed for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and by using logistic regression. The majority of Vegetable age of 34 years, where the ages were ranged from 30 to 45 years. The vegetable average age of 34 years, where the ages were ranged from 30 to 45 years. The vegetable farmers used a mixture of five different pesticides on the average, i.e., insecticides (Organophosphates and Carbamates, herbicides, and fungicides) for spraying. The estimated personal hygiene scores of vegetable farmers were at moderate level approximately 70.8% among 108 farmers, whereas 85.6% of the farmers had poor score concerning knowledge of insecticide use among 131 farmers. It was found that 77.8% of farmers, or 119 farmers, had low abnormal ChE levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis could identify only two factors associated with cholinesterase level, where the period of insecticide spraying was fallen between 30 and 60 minutes with the values of odd radio (OR) = 6051, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.70 – 24.90, and when the period of spraying took longer than 60 minutes, which the values of OR = 5.04, 95% CI = 1.43 – 17.74. The period of insecticide spraying during the most recent spraying session was carried out between one to three days, with the values of OR = 4.53, 95% CI = 1.62 – 12.69, and the difference was at the 0.004 level (or P-value = 0.004). It was recommended that farmers should avoid exposure to insecticide by reducing insecticide-spraying times, increase their use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and undergo training on insecticide use. These combined measures should improve the insecticide-related health status of vegetable farmers in this area.