Thesis
Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Taiwanese fruit farmworkers regarding pesticide application and protective clothing
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101950
Abstract
Although pesticides increase quality and quantity of agricultural products, pesticides are harmful to human health. Research regarding factors that can cause pesticide poisoning has been an area of interest for decades. However, a review of the literature regarding Taiwanese fruit farmworkers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pesticides was not identified in previous research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Taiwanese fruit farmworkers regarding pesticide application and protective clothing. This study was grounded in a Functional, Expressive, and Aesthetic (FEA) Consumer Needs Model (Lamb & Kallal, 1992). A paper survey was distributed to members of a fruit farmworkers association in four districts of Tainan City, Taiwan. A total of 77 fruit farmworkers responded to this survey regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding pesticides application and protective clothing. This study also identified clothing worn by fruit farmworkers when applying pesticides. While most fruit farmworkers reported having good knowledge, attitudes, and proper behaviors when working with pesticides, farmworkers' clothing worn when applying pesticides did not provide sufficient protection. The majority of farmworkers wore long-sleeved shirts (79.2%) and long pants or jeans (74%) during preparation and application of pesticides. The clothing worn by the farmworkers provided minimal protection as more than half of the farmworkers had been exposed to pesticides during pouring and loading (58%) or pesticide application (51.9%). This study also revealed that 50.6% of farmworkers reported that discomfort was the reason for not wearing protective clothing. The main issue revealed was the limited availability of clothing that was comfortable enough to wear for long periods in a hot and humid climate while still offering sufficient protection from exposure to pesticides. Therefore, there is a need for suitable protective clothing for fruit farmworkers in the Taiwanese agricultural market.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Taiwanese fruit farmworkers regarding pesticide application and protective clothing
- Creators
- Chen-Yu Weng
- Contributors
- Catherine Black (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525279501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis