Factors associated with cholinesterase enzyme levels in durian farmers in the area of Ban Pian Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This retrospective analytical research aimeds to study the results of cholinesterase enzyme testing and factors associated with cholinesterase enzyme levels among durian farmers in the area of Ban Pian Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The population consisted of 248 durian farmers who underwent cholinesterase enzyme testing with complete records. The research instrument was a data recording form validated by three experts, yielding a content validity index of 1.00 for all items. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. The research findings revealed that

1) A total of 166 durian farmers (94%) had cholinesterase enzyme levels within the safe/normal range.

2) Female durian farmers were had 3.54 times higher odds of having cholinesterase enzyme levels in the safe/normal range compared to males (OR= 3.54; 95%CI= 1.59–7.89). Durian farmers aged 45-59 years and ≥60 years had 19% and 94% lower odds of having cholinesterase enzyme levels in the safe/normal range, respectively, compared to those aged ≤44 years. (adj.OR= 0.81; 95%CI= 0.02 - 0.37; adj.OR= 0.06; 95%CI= 0.01 - 0.33)  Durian farmers with insufficient income and debt had 81% lower odds of having cholinesterase enzyme levels in the safe/normal range compared to those with sufficient income (adj.OR= 0.19; 95%CI= 0.50 - 0.69). Alcohol consumption of durian :farmers had 98% lower odds of having cholinesterase enzyme levels in the safe/normal range compared to non-drinkers (adj.OR= 0.02; 95%CI= 0.01 - 0.22) Durian farmers who cultivated on sloped terrain had 62% lower odds of having cholinesterase enzyme levels in the safe/normal range compared to those farming on flat or low-lying areas. (adj.OR= 0.38; 95%CI= 0.17 - 0.89)

Recommendations: relevant agencies should focus on promoting proper pesticide use behaviors among durian farmers, particularly targeting males, those in late working age and the elderly, and those cultivating on sloped terrain. Additionally, campaigns should be conducted to discourage alcohol consumption while using chemicals.