Evaluation of blood cholinesterase level and neurobehavioral performance among cocoa farmers in Perak and Pahang

Zainal Mubarik, Nor 'Aqilah Amani (2017) Evaluation of blood cholinesterase level and neurobehavioral performance among cocoa farmers in Perak and Pahang. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FPSK4 2017 54.pdf Download (59MB)

Abstract

Introduction: More than 10,000 cocoa farmers in Malaysia are occupationally exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides whereby these pesticides can cause neurobehavioral impairments. Evidence had shown that exposures to these pesticides had not been monitored whereby in Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standard of Exposure Chemical Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000, occupational monitoring and medical surveillance on workers who are exposed to pesticides is mandatory. As such, there were risk for cocoa farmers developing adverse health effects due to unmonitored OP use. Objective: To evaluate the blood cholinesterase level which indicated as biomarker of OP exposure and neurobehavioral performance level of cocoa farmers. Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study in Perak and Pahang involved 178 respondents made up of 90 cocoa farmers ( categorised as exposed group) and 88 fishermen (categorised as non-exposed group). Blood test for inhibition of blood cholinesterase used finger prick technique and blood was analysed using LOVIBOND 412670 AF267 Cholinesterase Test Kit. Neurobehavioral performance level was assessed using Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery (NCTB) which has 7 subtests. An interview-based questionnaire in Malay language was administered as well. Results: The blood cholinesterase level of exposed group was higher than non-exposed group which contradicted with previous findings. There was significant difference (p<0.05) on the neurobehavioral performance as exposed group performed poorer on Pursuit Aiming Test and Trail Making Test. There was no significant correlation between the organophosphate exposure which its exposure estimate was blood cholinesterase level with the neurobehavioral performance. Distance of home from cocoa plantation had significant relationship (p<0.05) with Trail Making Test. After controlling confounders, income and years of handling pesticides significantly influenced (R2=0.141) Pursuit Aiming Test, meanwhile use of gloves, age and education level were the main significant predictor factor (R2=0.257) for the Trail Making Test. Conclusion: The evaluation of health effects following unmonitored use of OP had been determined and found that the use of OP among cocoa farmers had impaired their motor steadiness, visual scanning and motor coordination. In occupational context, use of gloves were protective factor and years of handling pesticides was major factor in development of neurobehavioral impairment. Thus, highlighting that employer should conduct occupational exposure monitoring and medical surveillance as stipulated in regulation as well as provide adequate, full and suitable Personal Protective Equipment to these cocoa farmers.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Ms Norafizah Radzuan
Date Deposited:	26 Nov 2024 02:29
Last Modified:	26 Nov 2024 02:29
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2238

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