Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors with Proper Use of Pesticides among Semi Urban Farmers in Holeta Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Pesticides are agrochemicals used in agricultural fields (herbicides and insecticides) public health programs (insecticides to control mosquito) and urban green spaces in order to protect plants and humans from different diseases. Pesticides are important in the modern agriculture and their use is unavoidable; however, they impose a serious negative impact on the environment, non-target species and distress animal, plant biodiversity, aquatic as well as terrestrial food webs and ecosystems. The problem is amplified by inadequate knowledge, negative attitude and poor practices of farmers. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors with proper use of pesticide among semi- urban farmers in Holeta town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia 2023. Methods: Across sectional study design was used among Holeta semi-urban farmers in January 2023. For this study, sample size was calculated for all objectives based on the previous studies prevalence. The total sample of this study was 419 participants. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study units (households). Data were collected from those randomly selected participants by face to face interview, using structured questionnaires. The data were checked and entered into SPSS software and analyzed using binary logistic regression model. Significance cut point was 0.05. Results: All participants were participated and 100% response rate was achieved. The result showed 49.2%, 53.7% and 48.7% of the study participants had good level of knowledge, attitude and practice respectively on proper pesticides utilization. Education level of participants (AOR: 3.91, 95%CI: 1.88, 8.15) and training on pesticides management (AOR: 9.94, 95% CI: 3.91, 25.28) were significantly associated with knowledge of participants proper use of pesticides. Attitudes of respondents showed significant association with their education level (elementary school) (AOR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.33, 8.42) and Practice was significantly associated with education level of respondents (able to read and write) (AOR: 11.18, 95% CI: 4.46, 28.02). Conclusion: Participants‟ level of knowledge, and practice were determined to be low, and attitude was positive. Training history on pesticides handling and education level of participants were significantly associated with participants‟ knowledge, attitude and practice.