Hematological biomarkers in farm workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides in the Gaza Strip.

To assess serum cholinesterase levels and symptoms among farm workers who used mainly organophosphorus pesticides in the Gaza Strip, the authors took blood samples from and administered symptom questionnaires to an occupational cohort of 48 field workers. The authors tested the workers for serum acetylcholinesterase and serum butyrylcholinesterase (SBuChE) levels at the beginning and end of each work day. The authors took 20 employees as referents. The mean activity of SBuChE of the farm workers at the end of the spraying day (X = 3.28+/-0.12 kU/l) was lower by 13.2% than that of the referents at the end of the follow-up day (3.78+/-0.20 kU/l). Many symptoms were self-reported by farm workers. Certain symptoms, such as itching, skin irritation, and a burning sensation in eyes or face, were significantly associated with cholinesterase inhibition. A greater end-of-day reduction in SBuChE activity occurred in younger workers, those workers mixing pesticides, and with day of direct re-entry to the workplace. The authors detected alterations in some blood indexes. The study confirmed the finding that illness in pesticide workers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides can occur with trivial reductions in cholinesterase.

Palestinian refugee conditions associated with intestinal parasites and diarrhoea: Nuseirat refugee camp as a case study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the socioeconomic-demographic, environmental health and hygiene conditions associated with intestinal parasites and diarrhoea in Nuseirat Refugee Camp of Gaza Strip. METHODS: A cross-section of 1625 households were surveyed. A stratified sample was used and drawn from the eight Blocks. Face-to-face interviews were administered for data collection. Piloted and validated questionnaires along with specific checklists were used as instruments. RESULTS: A total of 485 women interviewed (29.8%) reported intestinal parasites among their household members; 223 (13.7%) admitted cases of diarrhoea. The highest prevalence of intestinal parasites (24.1%) was found among children aged 1-4 years; the highest prevalence of diarrhoea (10.6%) was found among children younger than 1 year. Intestinal parasites were strongly associated with crowding, source of drinking water and the cleaning of water tanks, and were significantly higher among families with unclean homes. Diarrhoea was strongly associated with source of drinking water, a full-day water supply and cleaning of water tanks, and was significantly higher among families with a presence of mosquitoes and garbage around their homes. CONCLUSIONS: Poor socioeconomic-demographic, environmental health and hygiene conditions play a major role in the occurrence of intestinal parasites and diarrhoea. Children younger than 5 years are at high risk. Real interventions, such as health education, environmental awareness, community involvement and raising funds for infrastructural development are urgently needed.

Knowledge, attitude, practice, and toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use among farm workers in the Gaza Strip.

AIMS: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use and exposure among 189 farm workers in the Gaza Strip. METHODS: A cross section of agricultural farm workers in the Gaza Strip were asked to fill in a questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, practice towards pesticide use, and associated toxicity symptoms. RESULTS: Farm workers reported high levels of knowledge on the health impact of pesticides (97.9%). Moderate to high levels of knowledge were recorded on toxicity symptoms related to pesticides. Most farm workers were aware of the protective measures to be used during applying pesticides. However, no one took precautions unless they knew about the measures. Burning sensation in eyes/face was the commonest symptom (64.3%). The prevalence of self reported toxicity symptoms was dependent on mixing and use of high concentrations of pesticides. The highest percentage of self reported toxicity symptoms was found among the farm workers who returned to sprayed fields within one hour of applying pesticides. CONCLUSIONS: Farm workers in the Gaza Strip used pesticides extensively. Despite their knowledge about the adverse health impact of the pesticides, the use of protective measures was poor. Most had self reported toxicity symptoms, particularly the younger workers. It would be useful to minimise the use of pesticides and encourage alternative measures. Prevention and intervention programmes regarding the use of protective measures and monitoring the health status of farm workers should be implemented.