A survey of the safe use determinants of pesticides in Ardakan pistachio farmers according to the Health Belief Model

Background: To eliminate the pests of their crops and gardens, farmers use pesticides, where the unsafe use and lack of knowledge of using them inflict irreparable physical harms to them and those around them. Therefore, this study was done to find out which behaviors are the determinants of the safe use of pesticides among pistachio farmers in Ardakan city based on the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, with a descriptive correlational approach, was conducted in 2014 on 301 farmers selected via proportionate stratified random sampling using a researcher-made questionnaire in Ardakan city. The questionnaire consisted of demographic variables and HBM constructs, such as perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, and safety behaviors. Results: The mean score of knowledge was 25.64 ± 7.45 out of 38, and the subjects received 60% of the score. In addition, the mean score of perceived susceptibility was 32.72 ± 7.79 out of 55, the mean score of perceived severity was 33.53 ± 8.44 out of 55, the mean score of perceived benefits was 25.99 ± 5.59 out of 30, and the mean score of perceived barriers was 17.99 ± 4.5 out of 30. Other results are presented in the section ‘results’ of the article. Conclusions: Given the mean scores obtained, there is a need for developing a training program based on the results to reduce damage caused by pesticides, with safe measures to be adopted.