The practices of spray operators in the Mpumalanga Malaria Control Programme using insecticides for residual indoor spraying.
Date
2006-10-31T13:14:40Z
Authors
Booman, Aart
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Abstract
Pesticide poisoning poses a health risk to individuals throughout the world
although the reported global and local risk are not consistent in the literature.
Mpumalanga Province has areas of epidemic malaria. Spray teams, applying
local insecticides to indoor surfaces operate just prior to the rainy season
(October to May) to control malaria. The purpose of this cross sectional study
was to compare prescribed safe handling and application practices of
Mpumalanga malaria spray operators mixing and applying insecticides versus
actual practices in the field. All members of the spray operating teams were
included in the study. A tick list and questionnaire was utilized to observe field
practices and enquire about reasons for non-compliance. Only 28% of all
operators complied with prescribed safety practices and differences in
compliance between mixing (38%) and application (36%) were marginal.
Gloves, face shields and dust masks were not utilized as recommended and
contributed to the highest levels of non-compliance. Compliance was found
to be dependent on gender, age, years of experience, education level and
employment status. The low compliance rate necessitates further
investigation of the malaria programme occupational safety management
system. All stakeholders need to be aware of the consequences of pesticide
poisoning and collaborate in efforts to work towards prevention rather than
cure.
Description
Student Number : 0110574V -
MPh research report -
School of Public Health -
Faculty of Health Sciences
Keywords
occupational health, occupational hygiene, malaria spraying, insecticide exposure