KUMJ | VOL. 17 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 65 | JAN.-MARCH, 2019
Chemical Pesticide Use and Quality of Life of Rubber Farmers in the Northeast of Thailand
Nippanon P, SriruachaC, Tantriratna P, Phajan T, Suwannaphant K, Laohasiriwong W
Abstract: Background
Chemical pesticide has known to have impacts on human health and environment.
However, there are limited studies on chemical pesticide use has influence on quality
of life (QOL) of rubber farmers in Thailand.
Objective
To determine the pesticide use and its association with quality of life of rubber
farmers in the northest region of Thailand.
Method
This cross sectional study recruited the total of 362 samples by using a multi-
stage random sampling from eight provinces in the Northeast of Thailand. A selfadministered
questionnaire
was
developed
and
used
to
collect
the
data.
The
multiple
logistic
regressions were used to determine the association between chemical
pesticide use and quality of life when controlling other covariates, presenting
adjusted odd ratio, 95% CI and p-value.
Result
Of the total 362 respondets, 66.57% of rubber farmers used chemical pesticides, only
32.60% had good quality of life (95% CI:27.75 - 37.45%). The multivariable analysis
indicated that those who did not use chemical was associated with having good
quality of life (adj. OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.34 to 3.58, p-value =0.002). Similarly, other
factors associated with good quality of life were; working 6-7days/week (adj. OR =
1.75; 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.91, p-value = 0.031), had good attitude on rubber farming
(adj. OR= 1.83; 95% CI: 1.071 to 3.14, p-value = 0.027, had low to moderate levels
of stress (adj. OR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.017 to 2.67, p-value= 0.042) and had low level of
knowledge on occupational health in rubber farming (adj. OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.01 to
2.72, p-value = 0.044).
Conclusion
Most of the farmers used chemical pesticides, only one-third had good quality of life.
Chemical pesticide use as well as work load, psychological factors and awareness on
occupational health problems had influence on quality of life.
Keyword : Chemical pesticide use, Quality of life, Rubber farmers
