Pesticide Exposure and Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in Under -Five Year Olds of Farmers in the Offinso-North District

Abstract

Background: Exposure to pesticide and its associated health effects in farm children is a major global public health issue. Several studies published in the developed countries have associated pesticide exposure in farm children with acute respiratory infection. However, no data on this subject is available in farm children in Africa. Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of acute respiratory infection (ARI) defined as acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) and upper respiratory tract infection (URI) and its association with indicators of pesticide exposure in children under five years living in farming communities in the Offinso-North district of the Ashanti region. Methodology: The study was derived from the Offinso North district Farm Health study (ONFAHS). ONFAHS is a cross-sectional design involving 300 households (i.e. children under- five and their parent(s)) in the Offinso-North district of the Ashanti region. One hundred and seventy (170) children under the age of five years who met the eligibility criteria of the main study formed the study population. Parents of these children were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. Results: Bad food handling behavior, bad hygiene practices and contact with pesticide equipment on the farm or home were common among the children. The prevalence of symptoms of ARI, ALRI and URI were high. Bad mouthing behavior and contact with contaminated surfaces in the farm were significantly associated with symptoms of respiratory infection. Contact with pesticide containers, equipment and contaminated surfaces at home were also significantly associated with symptoms of URI and ALRI. Contact with pesticide containers and equipment in the farm and/or at home were also associated with symptoms of ALRI and URI respectively. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that exposure to pesticides through bad hygiene practices; bad mouthing behavior and contact with contaminated surfaces were common among the children. The prevalence of symptoms of ARI was also common. Associations between indicators of pesticide exposure and ARI, ALRI and URI were significant.