Occupational hazards among cocoa farmers in the Birim south district in the Eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

Cocoa (Theobroma cocoa) is one of the major agricultural commodities in Ghana. However, its production in Ghana and Africa is faced with numerous occupational hazards and injuries. A survey of 160 cocoa farmers in the Birim South District in the Eastern Region of Ghana was carried out to identify the predominant occupational hazards and injuries faced by the farmers during pre-planting, planting, post-planting and post-harvest operations. Injuries from stumps/thorns and cutlass were the most prevalent among farmers during land clearing and planting. Insect bite (red ants bite), cutlass injury, headache and severe fever were also the major problems encountered during farm maintenance. Back/waist pains, bee/warp sting, and headache were common problems during harvesting of pods and post harvest operations. Cutlass injury, stumps/thorns injury and back/waist pain were also found to be more debilitating accounting for an average day lost of 18, 12 and 12 from work in a cropping season respectively. Majority of respondent resorted to treatment from the hospital on injuries/hazards from cutlass, snake bite, burns and harvesting tools. However, majority resorted to self medication on injuries from stump and thorns, bees/wasp sting and fallen objects on the eye. Also nearly two-thirds of the respondents did not use protective equipment during application of agrochemicals and this resulted to difficulty in breathing, skin rashes and headaches. Cutlass injury recorded a greater number of days lost (18) per season among the respondents and took the highest treatment and days lost cost ($ 85.4). It was recommended that Agricultural Extension Agents in consultation with Ministry of Health and other health NGOs should collaborate to educate cocoa farmers on precautionary measures and first aid operations at the farm level