Impact of Pesticide Awareness module (PAM) in Improving the knowledge of Farmers Community about Pesticide Poisoning: A Pre- and Post- Intervention Study in Wardha District in Maharashtra, India
S. Chalakh *
Department of Agadtantra, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra; India.
P. Desai
Department of Rachana Sharir, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra; India.
D. Rajput
Department of Rasshastra, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra; India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background:Pesticide poisoning is a major concern in developing countries like India due to a lack of knowledge about its hazardous effect. It can be minimised by creating awareness among the farmers .This study was conducted to assess the impact of pesticide awareness module in improving the awareness among the farmers' community about pesticide poisoning.
Methodology: This was a pre and Post-intervention study in six villages in the Wardha district in Maharashtra. Forty farmers from six villages were interviewed regarding the knowledge, about pesticide poisoning before and after the sensitization with pesticide awareness module with the predesigned questionnaire.
Result: Statistically high significant difference is detected in pre and post-test. It was found that average Pre-test score was 1.84 (out of 10) which was increased in post-test score to 6.52(out of 10). The observed change was 46.79%.
Conclusion: The intervention of PAM was highly effective in knowledge gaining of farmer community
Keywords: Pesticide poisoning, Awareness, Community