Citation

Vikkey HA, Fidel D, Elisabeth YP, Hilaire H, Hervé L, Badirou A, Alain K, Parfait H, Fabien G, Benjamin F. Environ. Health Insights 2017; 11: e1178630217704659.

Affiliation

Unit of Teaching and Research in Occupational Health and Environment, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Libertas Academica)

DOI

10.1177/1178630217704659

PMID

28469452

PMCID

PMC5400018

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of poisoning in farmers using the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) test before and after the exposure to pesticides in townships in central Benin (Glazoué and Savè) and to identify the associated risk factors.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 264 farm pesticide sprayers, who have been working for at least 5 years. They completed a questionnaire and underwent the AChE test using the Test-mate Model 400 device (EQM Research Inc.) with a photometric sensor, based on the works of Ellman.

RESULTS: Organophosphate/pyrethroids were the most common pesticides used by at least 72.96% of the farmworkers. We observed an inhibition of AChE between pre-exposure and post-exposure (P =.002) for 60.61% of the farmworkers. Among them, 11.88% displayed more than 20% AChE inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS: Pesticide poisoning is a reality, and AChE monitoring is urgently needed for farmworker surveillance.

Language: en

Keywords

Acetylcholinesterase; Benin; Glazoué; Savè; cholinesterase inhibitor; poisoning