Using the Health Belief Model to Understand Pesticide Use Decisions

The Health Belief Model in public health and social psychology argues that persons who have had adverse health experiences are likely to adopt greater preventive behaviour. Using that model, this study builds an empirical model that links farmer’s pesticide-associated adverse health problems and risk perceptions to an environmentally sound behaviour of pesticide use. A survey of 318 farmers in the districts of Vehari and Lodhran was drawn. The results show almost all the farmers to be using pesticides extensively. Consequently, more than 80 percent farmers experienced at least one adverse health symptom. The econometric analysis appeared to confirm that IPM training and education are the main determinants of an environmentally sound behaviour in terms of pesticide use. The data, however, do not support the hypothesis that farmers who have experienced health problems from pesticides are likely to use alternative pest management practices. Finally, the study concludes that provision of alternative pest management is necessary to improve pesticide use practices.