Browsing by Autor "Omar Huici"

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Do Bolivian small holder farmers improve and retain knowledge to reduce occupational pesticide poisonings after training on Integrated Pest Management?
(BioMed Central, 2014) Erik Jørs; Flemming Lander; Omar Huici; Rafael Cervantes Morant; Gabriel Guliš; Flemming Konradsen
Genetic Alterations in Pesticide Exposed Bolivian Farmers An evaluation by analysis of chromosomal aberrations and the comet assay
(SAGE Publishing, 2007) Erik Jørs; Ana Rosa Gonzáles; Maria Eugenia Ascarrunz; Noemí Tirado; Catharina Takahashi; Erika Lafuente; Raquel Alves dos Santos; Natalia Bailón; Rafael Cervantes; Omar Huici
Background Pesticides are of concern in Bolivia because of increasing use. Frequent intoxications have been demonstrated due to use of very toxic pesticides, insufficient control of distribution and sale and little knowledge among farmers of protective measures and hygienic procedures. Method Questionnaires were applied and blood tests taken from 81 volunteers from La Paz County, of whom 48 were pesticide exposed farmers and 33 non-exposed controls. Sixty males and 21 females participated with a mean age of 37.3 years (range 17–76). Data of exposure and possible genetic damage were collected and evaluated by well known statistical methods, controlling for relevant confounders. To measure genetic damage chromosomal aberrations and the comet assay analysis were performed. Results Pesticide exposed farmers had a higher degree of genetic damage compared to the control group. The number of chromosomal aberrations increased with the intensity of pesticide exposure. Females had a lower number of chromosomal aberrations than males, and people living at altitudes above 2500 metres seemed to exhibit more DNA damage measured by the comet assay. Conclusions Bolivian farmers showed signs of genotoxic damage, probably related to exposure to pesticides. Due to the potentially negative long term health effects of genetic damage on reproduction and the development of cancer, preventive measures are recommended. Effective control with imports and sales, banning of the most toxic pesticides, education and information are possible measures, which could help preventing the negative effects of pesticides on human health and the environment.
Impact of Training Bolivian Farmers on Integrated Pest Management and Diffusion of Knowledge to Neighboring Farmers
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Erik Jørs; Flemming Konradsen; Omar Huici; Rafael Cervantes Morant; Julie Volk; Flemming Lander
Teaching farmers integrated pest management (IPM) in farmer field schools (FFS) has led to reduced pesticide use and safer handling. This article evaluates the long-term impact of training farmers on IPM and the diffusion of knowledge from trained farmers to neighboring farmers, a subject of importance to justify training costs and to promote a healthy and sustainable agriculture. Training on IPM of farmers took place from 2002 to 2004 in their villages in La Paz County, Bolivia, whereas dissemination of knowledge from trained farmer to neighboring farmer took place until 2009. To evaluate the impact of the intervention, self-reported knowledge and practice on pesticide handling and IPM among trained farmers (n = 23) and their neighboring farmers (n = 47) were analyzed in a follow-up study and compared in a cross-sectional analysis with a control group of farmers (n = 138) introduced in 2009. Variables were analyzed using χ2 test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Trained farmers improved and performed significantly better in all tested variables than their neighboring farmers, although the latter also improved their performance from 2002 to 2009. Including a control group showed an increasing trend in all variables, with the control farmers having the poorest performance and trained farmers the best. The same was seen in an aggregated variable where trained farmers had a mean score of 16.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.45-17.65), neighboring farmers a mean score of 11.97 (95% CI: 10.56-13.38), and control farmers a mean score of 9.18 (95% CI: 8.55-9.80). Controlling for age and living altitude did not change these results. Trained farmers and their neighboring farmers improved and maintained knowledge and practice on IPM and pesticide handling. Diffusion of knowledge from trained farmers might explain the better performance of the neighboring farmers compared with the control farmers. Dissemination of knowledge can contribute to justify the cost and convince donors and governments in low-income countries to prioritize farmers training.
Is Gender a Risk Factor for Pesticide Intoxications Among Farmers in Bolivia? A Cross-Sectional Study
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Erik Jørs; Jasmin Hay-Younes; Madelaine A. Condarco; Guido Condarco; Rafael Cervantes; Omar Huici; Jesper Bælum
This study compares gender differences regarding knowledge, practice, and symptoms of intoxication when handling pesticides in farming. Data were gathered in La Paz County, Bolivia, in 2008 and 2009. Poor knowledge on safe handling, hazardous working practices, and use of very toxic pesticides were seen. Being a female and having a low educational level were risk factors for "poor knowledge on pesticides" and a "risky behavior when handling pesticides." Females reported more symptoms of intoxication. The gender differences on knowledge and handling practices might explain why females report more symptoms. To minimize this gap, education and agricultural services should be made more accessible to female farmers in Bolivia.
Management of empty pesticide containers – An experience from Santa Cruz, Bolivia 2014-16: Gestión de envases vacíos de plaguicidas -una experiencia en Santa Cruz Bolivia
(University of Southern Denmark, 2017) Omar Huici; Olaf Chresten Jensen; Erik Jørs; Guido Condarco; Marlene Skovgaard
The mismanagement of empty containers of pesticides, posing a risk to the environment and the health of people, has motivated the promotion of international policies and guidelines to mitigate the problems. Despite these guidelines the attention to this problem is inadequate in Bolivia. The objective was to study the knowledge and practical management of the containers and to implement a responsible management plan of empty pesticide containers. METHODS PLAGBOL implemented the project in 2014—2016 in two municipalities of the Department of Santa Cruz. Integral and participatory processes of information, education, and training were used. A questionnaire study was used to investigate the knowledge and management of the empty pesticide containers. RESULTS The authorities and the population responded to the program by taking a critical and active approach to the problem, improved their responsible practices and 5500 kg of empty containers were collected. The cross-sectional study showed that 93% of the empty containers are disposed in vulnerable places, 62% of the population does not know what triple washing is, 60% felt discomfort, headache and/or dissiness while using pesticides and 31% of the empty containers have pesticide residue inside them. CONCLUSIONS The study shows a complex situation mainly due to lack of knowledge and clear guidelines. We recommend to document the social, economic and productive characteristics of the region before taking any municipal program action. The key element to sustainable changes is an informed and coordinated participation of all actors. KEYWORDS Environmental; pesticide containers ; occupational, health, intoxication
Management of Empty Pesticide Containers—A Study of Practices in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
(SAGE Publishing, 2017) Omar Huici; Marlene Skovgaard; Guido Condarco; Erik Jørs; Olaf Chresten Jensen
The study illustrates a complex situation, mainly caused by lack of knowledge and clear guidelines. We recommend documentation of the social, economic, and productive characteristics of the region before any municipal program action is undertaken. The key element to sustainable change is an informed and coordinated participation of all actors.
Obstacles and Opportunities for Diffusion of Integrated Pest Management Strategies Reported by Bolivian Small-Scale Farmers and Agronomists
(SAGE Publishing, 2017) Erik Jørs; Antonio Aramayo; Omar Huici; Flemming Konradsen; Gabriel Guliš
Integrated pest management (IPM) with an increased used of ecological farming methods and less and safer use of pesticides offers solutions to reduce risks of developing pest resistance, human poisoning, and environmental pollution. Despite being promoted by Food and Agriculture Organization and others, it has not spread readily in low-income countries. This article presents the opinions of Bolivian farmers and agronomists on perceived obstacles and opportunities for a diffusion of IPM. Focus group discussions revealed an increased workload without certainty of higher yields or better prices for products grown with IPM compared with traditional agriculture being hindrances for a spread of IPM. Moreover, IPM requires some new practices not that easy to learn by farmers. In favor of IPM was an increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy and sustainable food production, easiness to try out without expensive investments needed, and a higher quality of the products. A healthy and sustainable agricultural production should be promoted by support to farmers through IPM training, a certification, and better prices. Finding allies to such a promotion is not easy, though, according to both farmers and agronomists.
Occupational pesticide intoxications among farmers in Bolivia: a cross-sectional study
(BioMed Central, 2006) Erik Jørs; Rafael Cervantes Morant; Guido Condarco Aguilar; Omar Huici; Flemming Lander; Jesper Bælum; Flemming Konradsen
The study showed that occupational pesticide intoxications were common among farmers and did depend on multiple factors. Pesticide use is probably one of the largest toxicological problems in Bolivia, and a coordinated action by authorities, society and international bodies is needed to limit the number of intoxications and the environmental pollution.
Sale, storage and use of legal, illegal and obsolete pesticides in Bolivia
(Cogent OA, 2015) Jasmin Haj-Younes; Omar Huici; Erik Jørs
Unregulated selling practices, bad storage habits and the use of illegal pesticides in Bolivia are widespread, with increasing negative consequences on public health and the environment. The present study describes the selling, storage and use of legal, illegal and obsolete pesticides among pesticide retailers and farmers in Bolivia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 191 pesticide-using farmers and 40 pesticide retailers. Data were gathered in 2009 in La Paz County, Bolivia. A questionnaire was used to evaluate pesticide handling practices and observational data on pesticide stocks and storage was assessed through direct visits on site. Banned, outdated and highly toxic pesticides were found stored on most smallholder farms. A mean of 299 g of pesticides was found on each farm, of which 60% were obsolete. Knowledge on pesticide toxicity and safe handling practices were lacking among both retailers and farmers, and poisonings were frequently reported. Significant figures of obsolete pesticides were found outside of the officially recognized dumping sites. This underlines the necessity of including the small but numerous amounts of pesticides stored at farms, when calculating a country’s total amount of obsolete pesticides. Better regulations of imports, sale and storage and an improved use of safety measures when handling pesticides needs to be urgently addressed.
The influence of tomato processing on residues of organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides and their associated dietary risk
(Elsevier BV, 2015) Emilie Marie Reiler; Erik Jørs; Jesper Bælum; Omar Huici; María Mercedes Álvarez Caero; Nina Cedergreen