Knowledge and risk perception of pesticide exposure among smallholder farmers of Sembabule district, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Smallholder farmers in Uganda are commonly exposed to high levels of pesticides. Improper handling of these chemicals can cause numerous health risks. Hence, this study assessed the knowledge and risk perception of pesticide exposure among smallholder farmers of Sembabule district, Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 278 smallholder farmers was conducted, using a researcher administered questionnaire. Participants were selected using systematic sampling with an interval of each 8th household. A generalized linear model with modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (Cls) for factors associated with low-risk perception of pesticide exposure, including sociodemographic and knowledge related-variables were adjusted for in the multivariable model. RESULTS: Overall, 66.19% (184/278) of the participants had poor knowledge of pesticide exposure, and 54.68% (152/278) had a low-risk perception of pesticide exposure. Low-risk perception of pesticide exposure was associated with lack of concern about negative impacts of pesticide exposure [Adjusted Prevalence Ratio, aPR = 4.96, 95% Cl: 2.13-11.56] and with the perception that pesticides do not affect the environment [aPR = 1.85, 95% Cl:1.22-2.81]. CONCLUSION: Smallholder farmers had low-risk perception of pesticide exposure. This underscores the need for national farmer-trainings by agricultural extension workers on safe pesticide use, and improvement of existent government pesticide sale regulations.