The Effects of a Parental Behavior Modification Program to Prevent Pesticide Exposure Among Toddlers Living in Agricultural Areas of Thailand: An Experimental Study

Parichat Ong-Artborirak,1 Thitirat Nganchamung,2 Chakkrit Ponrachom,3 Apiradee Wangkahart,4 Satinee Siriwat4 1Department of Research and Medical Innovation, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand; 3Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; 4Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, ThailandCorrespondence: Satinee Siriwat, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand, Email satinee.s@ku.thBackground: Pesticides pose health risks to vulnerable populations living in agricultural areas, especially children. However, effective interventions demonstrating biomarker-based reductions in pesticide exposure among toddlers remain scarce, including in Thailand.Objective: This quasi-experimental study, using a pre-test/post-test design, aimed to assess the effect of a parental behavior modification program on pesticide exposure among young Thai children.Methods: The sample consisted of 90 families with children aged 1– 3 years who lived within 50 meters of agricultural areas, including 46 in the intervention group and 44 in the control group. Guardians in the intervention group received a behavior modification program based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which included three training sessions and one home visit. The control group did not receive any intervention. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels in toddlers were measured via finger prick in both groups at three time points: baseline, follow-up 1 (two months after the end of the intervention), and follow-up 2 (five months after the end of the intervention).Results: Linear mixed-model analysis showed that, from baseline to follow-up 1, hemoglobin-adjusted AChE (HAChE) ...