Health and agrochemical use experiences of agricultural workers with high serum cholinesterase levels in Northeastern Thailand

In developing countries, agrochemicals are frequently used, resulting in direct and indirect chemical exposure as well as a variety of health concerns. Although agrochemical safety education is essential to promoting protective behavior among agricultural workers, there is a gap in the body of evidence concerning experience with agrochemical use and practice, which is critical for developing and improving educational interventions, so they are more effective and acceptable to the workers' culture and lifestyle. This phenomenology study included twenty agricultural workers with high serum cholinesterase levels in two Thai rural communities. Data from semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using Colaizzi's 7-step data analysis, which is mentioned in the data analysis part. Five themes and three subthemes emerged in relation to agrochemical use and health: (i) long-term chemical exposure; (ii) no need to be concerned about health after chemical exposure; (iii) insufficient chemical protection knowledge and practices; (iv) difficulties in adhering to the agrochemical exposure prevention regimen; and (v) government policy and the growth of the organic produ