Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive- correlational study was to investigate factors affecting pesticide consumption behavior of greenhouse owners (three dimensions of consumption extent, consumption method and precautionary actions). The validity of questionnaire was verified by a panel of experts and to obtain its reliability, alpha Cronbachs coefficient calculated and it was higher than 0.7 for different parts of questionnaire. The statistical population consisted all greenhouse owners in Zanjan province (N=80) and based on Krejcsi and Morgan sampling Table and using randomized sampling method 66 greenhouse owners were selected. The result showed that 88.7 percent had medium and higher level of knowledge regarding pesticide. About 89.5 percent, used of pesticides more than normal. Using level of precautionary actions by 82.5 percent was high. There were positive meaningful correlation among pesticide consumption with age, job experience and income from greenhouse, but correlation with knowledge, mass media using and number of attended educational classes was negative. Also, precautionary actions had a positive meaningful correlation with knowledge, work hours, job satisfaction and greenhouse size. Multiple regression analysis revealed that job satisfaction, greenhouse size and knowledge were explained 33.5 percent of precautionary action. Also, age, mass media using and income from greenhouse were explained 57.9 percent of pesticide consumption.