The majority of pesticides used were WHO class II, classified as moderately hazardous. The
mean numbers of personal protective equipment used by farmers were 2.22 (95% CI: 1.89;
2.54). Out of five hygienic practices asked, farmers followed 3.63 (95% CI: 3.40; 3.86)
hygienic practices on the average. Farmers reported more symptoms of possible pesticide
intoxication in the past month than did controls, mean 5.47 (95% CI: 4.70; 6.25) versus 2.02
(95% CI: 1.63; 2.40) (p < 0.05). The mean haemoglobin-adjusted AChE(Q) was significantly
lower among farmers compared to controls, 28.92 (95% CI: 28.28; 29.56) U/g versus 30.05
(95% CI: 29.51; 30.60) U/g, (p = 0.01). The risk of a farmer having lower Q level was about
3 times (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.16; 7.51) greater than controls.