Vendor-based restrictions on pesticide sales to prevent pesticide self-poisoning - a pilot study.
Weerasinghe M., Konradsen F., Eddleston M., Pearson M., Jayamanne S., Gunnell D., Hawton K., Agampodi S.
BACKGROUND: In South Asia, up to 20% of people ingesting pesticides for self-poisoning purchase the pesticide from a shop with the sole intention of self-harm. Individuals who are intoxicated with alcohol and/or non-farmers represent 72% of such high-risk individuals. We aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of vendor-based restrictions on pesticide sales for such high-risk individuals. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study in 14 (rural = 7, urban = 7) pesticide shops in Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka. A two-hour training program was delivered to 28 pesticide vendors; the aim of the training was to help vendors recognize and respond to customers at high risk of pesticide self-poisoning. Knowledge and attitudes of vendors towards preventing access to pesticides for self-poisoning at baseline and in a three month follow-up was evaluated by questionnaire. Vendors were interviewed to explore the practice skills taught in the training and their assessment of the program. RESULTS: The scores of knowledge and attitudes of the vendors significantly increased by 23% (95% CI 15%-32%, p