Pesticides: Perceived Threat and Protective Behaviors Among Latino Farmworkers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and beliefs of 72 Latino farmworkers in North Carolina about the threat of health effects of pesticides, including cancer. It sought to explore relationships between threat perceptions and pesticide protective behaviors observed in the field.

METHODS/RESULTS: Utilizing stepwise multiple regression, the authors found that years worked in agriculture in the United States was associated with decreased use of protective clothing.

CONCLUSION: Pesticide protective behaviors in the field may be improved by utilizing moderately experienced farmworkers (<10 years) as lay advisors to reinforce training.