The farmer's daily activities are expose to many risks, the use of pesticide is one of the most relevant occupation hazards for farmers in developing notion. Aim: This study aimed to develop health educational program on self protective for farmers using pesticide. Subjects& methods: Quasi experimental design was used in this study. setting were agriculture unit, farmland and at home of farmers at El-Safina Village, El-Hisa Village in Tokh district (Benha governorate). The sample composed of 200 male farmers. The study started in May 2010 to end of the December 2010; two tools were designed to collect data: Questionnaire sheet to collect data about demographic characteristic of the farmers and their knowledge related to pesticides use, 2-observation checklist to assess farmers practice and self reported farmer's health complain related to pesticide exposure and pre-post test for health educational intervention program. Results: the study fining should be that farmer’s knowledge improved post program implementation from 86% unsatisfactory knowledge score preprogram to 93% satisfactory level of knowledge score in post 1 and slight decline in post 11, (88%). Statistical significant relation detected between farmer years of work (more than 10 years) and their knowledge post program, also significant statistical relation present between farmers age and their practice post program implementation. It can concluded that the health education intervention program about prevention of pesticide improved farmers knowledge and practice. Recommendation: the Health Educational Program should be conducted in agricultural unit about pesticide process and personal protective equipment, provision of booklet contain information in simple language with illustrated picture about pesticide and its health hazards should give to all farmers and instruct farmers about important of medical follow up at rural health unit.
Key words: pesticides, farmer health, environmental health.
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