Background The export drive for watermelon production is huge and so is pesticide usage. However, the health and safety of the farmers, as well as threat to the environment lie in the shadow. The purpose of the study is to evaluate watermelon farmers’ knowledge and application of pesticides in the Central region of Ghana, to ascertain factors associated with the pesticides application. Methods A field survey of 300 farmers were conducted in six communities through questionnaire. Logistic regression model was used to describe and explain burning sensation as the response variable and the factors that likely affect appropriate pesticide usage. Results The results show that farmers were aware of the environmental and health impacts of pesticides use. However, their knowledge of the risks associated with pesticides is not translated into actual practice to avoid the exposure of pesticides. The farmers experienced various levels of health risks symptoms. Health risks symptoms of headache, burning sensation, fever, watering eyes, chest pains, etc., were reported. The most common symptom is burning sensation. A model capturing biosocial factors influencing predisposition to burning sensation was developed. The model revealed that knowledge to identify pests, knowledge to identify diseases and wearing coverall were the most significant factors farmers experienced to influence burning sensation. Conclusion Significant number of watermelon farmers’ experienced health risks symptoms. In order to minimize the health risk symptoms and environmental consequences, educational training programs must involve the farmers and retailers through strong policy intervention.

中文翻译：

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与加纳中部地区西瓜农民使用农药相关的健康风险因素

背景 西瓜生产的出口驱动力巨大，农药的使用也是如此。然而，农民的健康和安全，以及对环境的威胁都隐藏在阴影中。该研究的目的是评估加纳中部地区西瓜种植者的农药知识和应用情况，以确定与农药应用相关的因素。方法通过问卷调查，对6个社区的300名农户进行实地调查。使用Logistic回归模型描述和解释烧灼感作为响应变量和可能影响农药合理使用的因素。结果 结果表明，农民意识到农药使用对环境和健康的影响。然而，他们对农药相关风险的了解并未转化为实际做法，以避免接触农药。农民经历了不同程度的健康风险症状。报告了头痛、烧灼感、发烧、流泪、胸痛等健康风险症状。最常见的症状是烧灼感。开发了一种捕获影响烧灼感倾向的生物社会因素的模型。该模型显示，识别害虫的知识、识别疾病的知识和穿着工作服是农民经历的影响烧灼感的最重要因素。结论 大量西瓜种植者出现健康风险症状。为了尽量减少健康风险症状和环境后果，