TY - JOUR PY - 2001// TI - Pests, peasants, and pesticides on the Northern Nicaraguan Pacific Plain JO - International journal of occupational and environmental health A1 - Aragon, Aurora A1 - Aragon, C. A1 - Thorn, A. SP - 295 EP - 302 VL - 7 IS - 4 N2 - With the aim of exploring possible reasons for dangerous work practices among small-scale farmers in the Pacific plain of Nicaragua, a qualitative study was performed. Four focus groups were involved. The information gathered was analyzed with an emphasis on the farmers' relationships to and perspectives on their crops, the economy, pests, and pesticide hazards. Factors that had been anticipated, such as poverty, inadequacy of protective devices, and environmental factors, were found to lead to dangerous work practices. Cultural factors also affected the farmers' attitudes in ways that favored hazardous work procedures. This finding, which had not been anticipated, has important practical implications. It suggests that, to be effective, education and training courses on occupational health should assure that their design, language, materials, and execution are culturally relevant and appropriate. LA - SN - 1077-3525 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -