EFFECTIVENESS OF PESTICIDE STORAGE AND RINSE HOUSE IN REDUCING FARMERS’ PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION

Abstract

Pesticide safety management to reduce pesticide levels in the blood of farmers needs to be equipped with supporting facilities including pesticide storage and rinse house with complete PPE and personal hygiene facilities. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of pesticide storage and rinse house in reducing pesticide levels in the blood of farmers in order to protect the dangers of pesticides on farmers. The research method used a one-group pre-test and post-test design with systematic random sampling using as many as 17 farmers who are actively using inorganic pesticides. The study began with an initial examination of the cholinesterase enzyme as a pre-test value. The intervention in using pesticide storage and rinse house was carried out for two weeks starting from mixing, spraying, and personal hygiene. The post-test was carried out with the same examination as the pre-test. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-test method with 95% confidence intervals. The results showed that there was an increase in cholinesterase by 7.61% with a p-value of 0.017 (significant) with a very strong correlation of 0.910. Therefore, it can be concluded in this study that the correct use of pesticide storage and rinse house is effective in reducing pesticide levels in the blood. The intervention in the form of the use of pesticide storage and rinse house can significantly increase cholinesterase enzyme levels by 7.61% compared to before (p=0.017). Future studies are needed to control factors that may be related to the blood pesticide levels over a longer period of time.