Table 4 Use of protective wear; disposal of empty containers after use; storage location of pesticides; washing of sprayers; and period of last spraying before selling
From: Health risk factors associated with pesticide use by watermelon farmers in Central region, Ghana
Variables | Frequency | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Reason for not using protective wear | ||
 No response | 30 | 10 |
 High buying cost | 118 | 39.3 |
 Do not feel comfortable in them | 40 | 13.3 |
 Do not have it | 32 | 10.7 |
 Not interested | 12 | 4.0 |
 Others | 68 | 22.7 |
Disposal of empty pesticides container | ||
 Put in other uses | 62 | 20.7 |
 Throw away on the farm | 140 | 46.7 |
 Throw away in the village | 52 | 17.3 |
 Burry in the ground on the farm | 26 | 8.7 |
 Burn on the farm | 18 | 6 |
 Others | 2 | 0.7 |
Disposal of remnant of pesticides after end of application | ||
 On field | 230 | 76.7 |
 Throw in river, lakes or irrigation canal | 4 | 1.3 |
 Leave it for next spraying time | 24 | 8.0 |
 Apply on the farm again | 6 | 2.0 |
 Other | 36 | 12.1 |
Pesticides storage by respondents | ||
 Animal houses | 2 | 1.3 |
 Living room | 140 | 46.7 |
 In the bush | 84 | 28 |
 In the kitchen | 48 | 16 |
 In the food store | 2 | 0.7 |
 Others | 24 | 7.4 |
Where they wash sprayers after application of pesticides | ||
 In the river, lake or irrigation canal | 52 | 17.3 |
 At home using tap or bucket water | 66 | 22.0 |
 Do not wash | 22 | 7.3 |
 On the farm with the leftover water | 160 | 53.3 |
Period for last spraying to selling of crops | ||
 1–2 days | 28 | 9.3 |
 3–6 days | 100 | 33.3 |
 1 week | 42 | 14.0 |
  > 1 week | 130 | 43.3 |