Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and behavior related to occupational health and safety practices in biocidal product sellers

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and behavior related to occupational health and safety practices in biocidal product sellers

Objective: As a result of exposure to biocidal products, various acute and chronic health problems are known to occur. In agricultural areas, this exposure is higher. Our aim is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behavior about the products in product sellers in Havutlu district of Adana province where biocides are heavily used. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 16 questions was applied to a total of 62 individuals by interview with biocidal sellers in the Havutlu district of Adana province. The type of study is descriptive. SPSS 19.0 was used in the analysis of data. Results: The average age of participants is 40.3, the youngest participant is 20 years old, the oldest is 60 years old. When asked about an ideal biocidal, 31 people (50%) stated that it should be harmless to human and other organisms. All participants think biocidal products are harmful to human health. 29 participants (46.8%) participated in the training program on biocides, and 33 (53.2%) did not anytime before. In the biocidal product sellers, 52 of them (83.9%) reported that they informed the buyer and 10 (16.1%) did not. 44 of the sellers (71%) followed legal developments related to biocides and 18 sellers (29%) could not. While 56 people (90,3%) read the content of the products, 6 (9,7%) do not read it. Conclusion: Biocidal product sellers are playing a major role in marketing both products, as well as in consumers' use and in the cycle as primary users themselves. Therefore, participation in training programs, having a sufficient level of knowledge, transferring them to the consumer and pursuing legal developments are very important for the protection of the health of workers and consumers.  Keywords: biocidal, occupational health, sellers  

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  • Volkan Recai Ötegen1, Ersin Nazlıcan1, Muhsin Akbaba1, Burak Kurt1, Ömer Hınç Yılmaz2 1Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health 2Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital