Occupational hazards of citrus and pineapple farmers in southwest Nigeria

This study examined exposure to occupational health hazards among citrus and pineapple farmers in the southwestern agricultural zone of Nigeria. Respondents were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Structured interview schedule and focus group discussion were used to collect primary data. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Most of the respondents were male. Prominent physical health hazards reported included cutlass wounds (81.9%), injury to eyes (81.0%) and fatigue from trekking to farm (80.3%), pesticide inhalation (78.9%), spraying agrochemicals without protective clothing (77.7%) and splashing of agrochemical on body (73.5%). Crop-specific health hazards included injury from pineapple spines (70.7%) and citrus thorns (65.5%). Exposure to chemical hazards was high (52.5%) among respondents. Significant correlation existed between respondents' educational level (χ²=26.46, p=0.00), contact with extension agents (χ²=18.92, p=0.02), cropping system (χ²=31.1, p=0.00) and exposure to occupational health hazards. For improved health and livelihood of farmers, crop specific safety intervention programmes such as wearing protective clothing should be initiated to reduce occupational health hazards.