The effects of exposure to pesticides on the fecundity status of farm workers resident in a rural region of Fars province, southern Iran

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of fecundity and other reproductive problems among a group of farmers in Kavar district of Fars province, southern Iran.MethodsA total of 268 randomly selected married male farm workers were investigated. A questionnaire was devised and validated [Cronbach's α-coefficient (0.81)]. Subjects were directly interviewed and the questionnaire forms were completed for them.ResultsThe prevalence of current primary infertility among the studied population was about 7.4% (P=0.001). Similarly, 6.3% of farm workers had offsprings with congenital malformations. Finally, 1.5% and 9% of farmers’ wives had a history of stillbirth and abortion, respectively. It was concluded that the prevalence of current primary infertility were higher among farm workers families than in the normal population (P<0.05). Additionally, stillbirth and spontaneous abortion were more common in the wives of farm workers than in the normal population, although the difference did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionsThese effects are likely to be attributed to the exposure of farm workers to pesticides.