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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 

Original publication

DOI

10.1186/s12889-018-5178-2

Type

Journal article

Journal

BMC Public Health

Publication Date

20/02/2018

Volume

18

Keywords

Pesticide shops, Pesticides, Pilot study, Self-poisoning, Sri Lanka, Suicide, Adult, Commerce, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Intention, Male, Pesticides, Pilot Projects, Program Evaluation, Risk Assessment, Self-Injurious Behavior, Sri Lanka, Suicide, Attempted