Pesticide Application and Khat Chewing as Predictors of the Neurological Health Outcomes among Pesticide Applicators in a Vector Control Unit, Saudi Arabia.
BACKGROUND
Pesticide applicators are at risk of developing neurological symptoms and neurobehavioral deficits. This risk may increase if the applicator chews stimulant plants like khat.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the sociodemographic and exposure determinants of neurological symptoms presentation, neurobehavioral performance, and cholinesterase activity among pesticide applicators in a vector control unit, Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 30 pesticide applicators and 32 non-applicators from a vector control unit in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, were studied. The study participants completed an exposure and medical questionnaire, and a neurobehavioral test battery. Their blood samples were also tested for the measurement of butyryl cholinesterase (BChE).


RESULTS
The mean blood BChE level was no significantly different between the applicators and non-applicators. Working in pesticide application and chewing khat were significant predictors of the neurological symptoms presentation and neurobehavioral deficits among the study participants. Each factor was associated with about 40% of the symptoms included in the questionnaire. Exposure to pyrethroids was significantly associated with a decrement in symbol digit test latency, tapping (TAP) non-preferred hand, and TAP alternating hands measures, representing the executive and motor speed/coordination functions. Khat chewing was associated with TAP preferred and non-preferred hands and serial digit learning measures, representing the memory and motor speed/coordination functions.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that being exposed to pyrethroids and chewing khat are associated with neurological and neurobehavioral drawbacks among pesticide applicators.
['Ismail|Ahmed A|AA|', 'Almalki|Mohammed|M|', 'Agag|Ahmed|A|', 'Solan|Yahya M|YM|', 'Bani|Ibrahim A|IA|']
D000328:Adult D000818:Animals D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase D029754:Catha D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004199:Disease Vectors D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008409:Mastication D009422:Nervous System Diseases D016273:Occupational Exposure D010575:Pesticides D012529:Saudi Arabia D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Saudi Arabia Catha Insect Vectors Neurological manifestations Pyrethrins