The Effect of Pesticide Exposure On Onion Farmers On The Event Of LBW In Sembalun District

Abstract

Pesticides are not only useful for suppressing the emergence of pests and plant diseases, excessive or inappropriate use can have a negative impact on health, especially pregnant women because it can interfere with the growth of the fetus, so that when the baby is born, the baby has low birth weight (LBW). This study was to determine the effect of pesticide exposure on shallot farmers during pregnancy with the incidence of LBW in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency. This research is an observational study with a cross-sectional approach and conducted by interview. The variables studied were the history of pesticide exposure consisting of: agricultural activities, years of service, length of work, pesticide storage, pesticide dose, shallot storage, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Data analysis used univariate analysis, bivariate with chi-square test and multivariate with multiple logistic regression test. Pesticide exposure which is proven to have the most dominant influence on the incidence of LBW is the use of PPE (OR = 4.64, p-value = 0.004). The recommended advice is to always wear PPE when doing agricultural activities and reduce agricultural activities related to pesticides, especially during pregnancy.

Keywords: LBW, exposure to pesticides, shallot farmers