Assessment of Pesticide Use Practices and Health Implications Among Farmers in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Exposure to agricultural pesticides poses significant occupational health risks to farmworkers in developing countries, particularly where regulatory oversight is limited. This study assessed pesticide use practices and associated health implications among smallholder farmers in Argungu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 260 farmers using structured questionnaires, supplemented by field observations during pesticide application activities. Cholinesterase activity was measured in blood samples collected from 120 consenting participants to provide a biomarker of organophosphate exposure. Findings revealed that ninety-three percent of farmers used pesticides without reading label instructions, and eighty-seven percent mixed multiple pesticide types without safety knowledge. Personal protective equipment use was minimal, with only eleven percent of farmers wearing gloves during application and only six percent using respiratory protection. Re-entry intervals were not observed by seventy-eight percent of respondents. Acute symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and skin irritation following pesticide application, were reported by sixty-four percent of participants. Cholinesterase depression was detected in twenty-nine percent of sampled farmers, indicating systemic organophosphate exposure. The study concludes that pesticide safety practices in Kebbi State are critically inadequate. Recommendations include accessible farmer education on pesticide safety, restriction of highly hazardous pesticide formulations, and provision of affordable protective equipment through agricultural extension services. Keywords: pesticide use, occupational health, farmers, Kebbi State, cholinesterase.