Health Education and Health Promotion

Abstract Aims: Due to their jobs, farmers are exposed to a high risk of pesticide and organophosphate exposure, which can lead to chronic diseases. However, such a problem could be overcome by implementing a healthy lifestyle. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the community-based program on promoting a healthy lifestyle (CP2HL) among farmers in Indonesia.
Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed among 135 (intervention=68 and control=67) farmers in Indonesia. The CP2HL using transtheoretical model-lead (TTM) lasted for 24 weeks and included education, training, and follow-up sessions for the intervention group. Meanwhile, those in the control group attended a regular program at the local public health center to get their health measured. The modified healthy lifestyle among farmers was measured using six structured questionnaires. The inter- and intra-group differences were evaluated using paired t-test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the effect of intervention.
Findings: There was a significant difference in the modified healthy lifestyle after CP2HL (p<0.05), including in the areas of organophosphate pesticide exposure, farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, nutrition knowledge, musculoskeletal symptoms, upper respiratory infection symptoms, and farmer burnout. During the follow-up period, the intervention group showed a healthier lifestyle than the control group.
Conclusion: CP2HL can significantly promote a healthy lifestyle among farmers after the intervention.