Prevalence of Pesticide-Related Health Effects Among Vegetable Farmers in Kogi State

Pesticide use in smallholder vegetable farming poses significant occupational health risks that are often underestimated in rural Nigerian communities. This study examined the prevalence of pesticide-related health effects among vegetable farmers in selected communities in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. A total of 170 farmers were selected through simple random sampling from farming settlements in Okene and Lokoja local government areas. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire that captured pesticide application practices, personal protective equipment use, and reported health symptoms. The Pesticide Residue Assessment Index was applied to evaluate the level of unsafe exposure. Results showed that 79.4 percent of respondents applied pesticides without any personal protective equipment, and 65.3 percent engaged in practices such as mixing chemicals with bare hands and re-entering fields before safe re-entry intervals. Self-reported health symptoms attributed to pesticide exposure included headaches (72.9%), skin irritation (59.4%), eye redness (53.5%), and nausea (44.1%). Formal training on safe pesticide handling had not been received by 88.8 percent of participants. These findings point to alarming gaps in pesticide safety education and regulatory oversight in Kogi State's smallholder agricultural sector. Recommendations include farmer field schools for pesticide safety training, subsidized PPE provision, and enforcement of NAFDAC regulations on agricultural chemicals. Keywords: pesticide exposure, vegetable farmers, occupational health effects, agricultural safety, Kogi State.