WHAT DO FARMERS SAY ABOUT PESTICIDES USE IN AGRICULTURAL WORKS? A Small Focus-Group Study Results from Three villages in Gelibolu Peninsula, Turkey

Background and Objective:Gallipoli peninsula where there are small and medium-sized farms dealing with agriculture and animal husbandry is an isolated area in Turkey.In the present study, it was aimed to assess knowledges of farmers on pesticides use and to analyze training needs. Materials and Methods:This focus group study was conducted with a total 36 farmers from three villages of Gallipoli peninsula.Participants including village opinion leaders, local authorities and volunteers were divided into 4 groups consist of 9 individuals.A center village cafe which is commonly known and reachable by everyone had been determined before the study was being started in all three villages. Farmers were asked to response some questions: "Do you take personal precautions such as wearing gloves and masks?", "Have you ever use pesticides by your hands without protective devices?", "Where do you put the empty pesticides containers after you finish your applying?" Results:Thirty-two participants were male and 4 were female.Most of farmers(28 participant)reported that they didn't use any gloves or a mask while they were applying pesticides, 8 person said that they were wearing gloves sometimes.All of the farmers reported that they had used pesticides by their hands at least once in the past years.After applying pesticides, the empty pesticides containers or boxes were delivered indiscriminatly into grounds, riversides, edge of a forest. Conclusion:The farmers in the study group had insufficient informations and negative attitudes on the safely use of pesticides.In order to protect public health, an emergency health trainings for improving attitudes and behaviors are needed to perform in this region.