Occupational Exposure to Pesticides among Farmers in Rural–Tribal Gujarat: Assessment of Knowledge, Practices, and Self-Reported Health Effects

Background: Farmers in rural and tribal regions of India are frequently exposed to pesticides during mixing, spraying, and handling activities. Exposure commonly occurs through dermal contact, inhalation, and accidental ingestion, which can lead to both acute and chronic health problems. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding pesticide use and its associated health effects among farmers among rural tribal district of India. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 farmers from selected villages of one of the tribal district of Gujarat. Farmers aged 18 years and above who had been using pesticides for at least one year were included. Data were collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes regarding pesticide use, pesticide handling practices, and self-reported health effects. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: Although all participants were aware that pesticide exposure could cause health problems, only 48.8% were aware of protective measures and merely 5.3% had received formal training on pesticide handling. A large proportion (91.2%) reported not using PPE during spraying, and 84.7% stored pesticides inside their houses. Nearly all participants (97.6%) reported experiencing at least one health symptom following pesticide exposure, with skin irritation and eye irritation being the most commonly reported complaints. Despite this high prevalence of symptoms, only 5.9% sought medical care. Conclusion: The study reveals a substantial gap between awareness and safe pesticide practices among farmers in this rural–tribal population. Unsafe handling and limited use of protective measures contribute to a high burden of self-reported health problems.