Work

Factors associated with protective behaviors against pesticide exposure: a study of rice farmers in Northern Iran

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background : Rice farming in Mazandaran Province, Iran, relies heavily on chemical pesticides, posing significant health and environmental risks. Despite efforts to promote pro-environmental practices, farmers’ adoption of protective and sustainable behaviors remains limited. This study investigates the determinants of rice farmers’ preventive awareness and protective behaviors, focusing on the sequential progression from awareness to preparation and eventual recognition of the need for alternative pest management strategies within an enabling environment framework. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 388 rice farmers across three major counties of Mazandaran Province. Data were collected through structured questionnaire and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple linear regression (MLR). Results : Findings revealed generally low levels of preventive awareness and protective behavior. EFA identified four behavioral stages: awareness of pesticide impact, avoidance of pesticide poisoning effect, Preparation for protective behavior, and recognition of regent need for alternative pest management alongside three enabling environment factors: social support, institutional incentives, and information flows. Education, gender, and household labor participation significantly influenced behavioral outcomes, while higher income and yield were negatively associated with protective actions. Among enabling environment variables, information flows exerted the strongest and most consistent influence across all behavioral stages, followed by institutional incentives and social support. Conclusion : This study advances understanding of behavior change in pesticide use and pest management by conceptualizing protective behavior as a multi-stage process influenced by individual, economic, and institutional factors. The inclusion of enabling environment variables fills a key research gap and offers a comprehensive analytical framework. Policymakers should strengthen information networks, institutional support, and targeted training programs to facilitate gradual behavioral transformation toward sustainable pest management in Mazandaran’s rice sector.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-72140-7

Authors: Mohammad Sharif Sharifzadeh, Masoud Hashemi, Gholamhossein Abdollahzadeh

Institutions: Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Language: English

Topic: Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity

Subfield: Toxicology

Field: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690