Workplace Culture and Knowledge Drive Safety Gear Usage Among Indonesian Farmers Exposed to Toxic Pesticides

Ilustration by AI 

FORMOSA NEWS

A new public health study reveals that individual attitudes, peer influence, and the availability of protective equipment are the decisive factors determining whether agricultural workers wear safety gear during pesticide application. The research shows that work culture and social dynamics strongly dictate occupational health behaviors among agricultural workers, whereas direct financial availability does not significantly influence whether farmers wear full protective equipment.

The study was conducted by public health researchers Eky Endriana Amiruddin, Waode Azfari Azis, Irma Dunggio, Wahyuddin, and Taswin from Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin in Indonesia. Published in August 2026 in the International Journal of Integrative Sciences, the investigation surveyed agricultural workers in the working area of the Bungi Health Center, located in Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted occupational health interventions in developing nations where agricultural workers face severe health risks from toxic chemical exposure.

The Growing Crisis of Agricultural Pesticide Exposure

The World Health Organization reports that pesticide poisoning causes approximately 600,000 cases of severe illness and 20,000 deaths worldwide every year. Developing nations bear an overwhelming burden of these health consequences. Although developing countries account for only 25% of global pesticide consumption, they suffer roughly 99% of all pesticide-related fatalities due to inadequate protection and unsafe handling practices.

In Indonesia, agricultural labor makes up a massive portion of the informal workforce. Central Statistics Agency data indicates that informal agricultural labor reached 87.31% nationally and 92.57% in Southeast Sulawesi. Routine health screenings at local community health posts (UKK Posts) in the Bungi District revealed persistent health complaints among farmers, including chronic headaches, nausea, skin itching, eye pain, and acute chemical poisoning. Despite facing known risks of chemical exposure through skin absorption, inhalation, and oral ingestion, a large majority of agricultural workers fail to wear complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Research Methodology

The researchers conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional study to examine the factors driving PPE compliance among pesticide-using farmers. Using a total sampling technique, the team evaluated 84 active farmers within the Bungi Health Center coverage area.

The team gathered primary data using structured questionnaires and observational checks to evaluate five specific variables: knowledge of pesticide risks, personal attitudes toward safety gear, availability of PPE equipment, financial capacity, and coworker support. The collected data underwent statistical analysis using univariate distribution analysis, bivariate chi-square testing ($\alpha = 0.05$), and multivariate logistic regression to identify independent predictors of worker behavior.

Key Findings Highlight Social and Behavioral Drivers

The statistical analysis revealed widespread non-compliance alongside strong correlations between workplace social environments and safety gear usage.

• Low Overall PPE Adoption: Out of the 84 farmers surveyed, 71.4% (60 respondents) used incomplete PPE during pesticide application, while only 28.6% (24 respondents) wore full protective gear.
• Knowledge Matters: Over half of the respondents (52.4%) demonstrated low knowledge regarding pesticide safety. Statistical testing confirmed a significant relationship between knowledge levels and PPE usage ($p = 0.027$). Farmers with limited knowledge often omitted essential items like safety goggles and rubber gloves, assuming basic hats and long shirts provided sufficient barrier protection.
• Attitude Shifts Behavior: About 73.8% of participants exhibited negative attitudes toward wearing protective equipment. A significant link was identified between attitude and PPE adoption ($p = 0.010$). Farmers with negative attitudes frequently cited physical discomfort, heat, restricted movement, and breathing difficulties as reasons for discarding masks and protective suits.
• Physical Availability vs. Cost: The physical availability of PPE equipment significantly correlated with safety compliance ($p = 0.000$). However, personal fund availability showed no statistically significant relationship with PPE usage ($p = 0.195$). Farmers reported that safety equipment was generally affordable, indicating that financial constraints were not the primary barrier preventing them from equipping themselves.
• Impact of Coworker Support: Peer influence emerged as a dominant factor ($p = 0.000$). Among farmers receiving strong coworker support, 69.6% wore complete PPE. Conversely, 86.9% of those with poor peer support wore incomplete gear.
• Multivariate Risk Drivers: Multivariate logistic regression established that coworker support was the strongest independent predictor of full PPE compliance ($OR = 8.912, 95\%\text{ CI } 2.267–35.033, p = 0.002$), followed by individual attitude ($OR = 4.961, 95\%\text{ CI } 1.101–22.353, p = 0.037$). Farmers supported by safety-conscious peers were nearly nine times more likely to wear complete protective equipment.

Real-World Impact and Industry Implications

These research findings demonstrate that purchasing subsidies alone will not resolve occupational health hazards in agricultural communities. Because financial availability does not dictate safety gear adoption, public health interventions must shift focus toward cultural transformation, peer leadership, and ergonomic equipment design.

Agricultural extension services, public health agencies, and policymakers can leverage these findings to implement community-level safety programs. Establishing peer-led safety networks within local farmer groups (Kelompok Tani) can normalize protective gear usage through mutual reinforcement. Furthermore, manufacturing standards must prioritize lightweight, breathable, and heat-resistant PPE materials suitable for tropical climates to overcome the physical discomfort that currently drives high non-compliance rates.

Academic Insights

The research team emphasized how social reinforcement shapes individual health practices in agricultural environments.

"Coworkers are one of the reinforcing components in forming healthy living behaviors, in this case, the use of PPE. The influence of coworkers increases as more workers exhibit the behavior," stated lead author Eky Endriana Amiruddin and co-researchers Waode Azfari Azis, Irma Dunggio, Wahyuddin, and Taswin from Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. "To behave healthily, people sometimes not only need knowledge, a positive attitude, and facility support, but they also need examples of behavior from community leaders, peers, and the social environment."

Author Profiles

• Eky Endriana Amiruddin, S.KM., M.Kes. – Public Health Researcher, Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. Specialist in occupational health and safety dynamics among agricultural workforces.
• Waode Azfari Azis, S.KM., M.Kes. – Faculty Member, Department of Public Health, Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. Focuses on environmental health and preventive health strategies in rural communities.
• Irma Dunggio, S.KM., M.Kes. – Academic and Researcher, Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. Specializes in health behavior models and community health education.
• Wahyuddin, S.KM., M.Kes. – Public Health Specialist, Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. Researches occupational safety and risk factors in informal labor sectors.
• Taswin, S.KM., M.Kes. – Faculty Member, Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin. Focuses on epidemiology, occupational health management, and community health post evaluations.

Source Information

Article Title: Factors Related to the Use of Personal Protective Equipment Among Farmers Using Pesticides
Journal Name: International Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/ijis.v5i8.56
URL : https://journalijis.my.id/index.php/ijis/index