Safety behaviour in pesticide use and disposal among nigerian cocoa farmers

Nigerian cocoa farmers are indiscriminately using and disposing pesticides in a manner that poses danger to their health and the environment. Thus, sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used to explore personal and environmental determinants of pesticide safety and disposal behaviours among the farmers. Using face-to-face interviews, 391 cocoa farmers were interviewed based on a reliable and valid questionnaire consisted of the health belief model (HBM), disposal practices and sociodemographic questions. In the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews were conducted among 23 cocoa farmers and 34 relevant stakeholders to further explore the factors influencing safe pesticide use and disposal using the socio-ecological model (SEM). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that perceived barriers had the most significant influence on the farmers’ behaviour. Similarly, cocoa farmers’ age, disposal facilities and knowledge of risks associated with pesticide wastes significantly influenced the farmers disposal practices. Qualitative findings revealed that all the farmers perceived some hindrances regarding safe pesticide use, but those in safe behaviour group were able to devise some coping strategies to overcome the barriers. Furthermore, external locus of control and social pressure also influenced the farmers decisions. Likewise, lack of disposal facilities, knowledge of pesticide risks, membership of an association, attitude and social norms influenced the farmers decision-making concerning disposal of pesticide wastes. Moreover, qualitative data from the relevant stakeholders generally revealed that influential roles of pesticide retailers, extension officers, pesticide importers and government agencies were inadequate. This implied that there was a large information gap with respect to pesticide safety between cocoa farmers and the stakeholders which could undermine pesticide safety. Therefore, government authorities in Nigeria should incorporate recommendations from this study in the design of intervention future programs.