Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 12, No. 6; 2020 ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 135 The Health Belief Model in Prevention Pesticide Toxicity Eka L. Mahyuni 1 & Urip Harahap 2 1 Department of Safety and Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia Correspondence: Eka L. Mahyuni, Department of Safety and Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20155, Indonesia. Tel: 62-813-7628-7171. E-mail: eka.lestari@usu.ac.id; e79mahyuni@gmail.com Received: March 25, 2020 Accepted: April 17, 2020 Online Published: April 29, 2020 doi:10.5539/gjhs.v12n6p135 URL: https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v12n6p135 Abstract Various efforts have been made to reduce pesticide toxicity, but the level of community participation is still quite low. This study aims to analyze the health belief of Karo’s farmer in pesticide toxicity prevention. The sample used the snowball sampling technique and reach 55 participants. Data were collected by in-depth interviews, FGD, and analyzed in qualitative used thematic analysis. The results found that farmers knew the hazard and effects of pesticides, but they ignored all of prevention. They continue to survive using pesticides cause indirect effects and temporary form of pesticides. They will refer to health services if it was eaten or inhaled, with acute effects and this is very rare. These perceived of farmer showed no benefit to prevent the pesticide. Overall, the farmer will participate in the health programmed if it has the real object and has significant changes to the economic and welfare of farmers. It concluded that the model of health belief could be changing the health behavior in pesticide use influences by the pesticide hazard, fluctuating of market price and horticulture products in bigger demand, traditional medicine habit, and government assurance to farmers. Keywords: farmers, health belief, pesticides, prevention, behavior 1. Introduction Increased of pesticide use as an intensification program for agricultural development will be followed by increased exposure and farmer’s toxicity (Sukmawati & Maharani IP, 2004). Inappropriate use of pesticides is harmful to farmer’s health and consumers, non-target microorganisms and have an impact to environmental pollution such as soil and water pollution due to the use of fertilizers and pesticides in Kendal; organochlorine pesticide pollution in Jakarta Bay, and Klabat Bay in Bangka Island and the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues of carrots in Karo District (Karyadi, 2008; Khozanah, 2010; Munawir, 2005; Sinulingga, 2006). Pesticide toxicity is the world problem and increase in every year both with acute and chronic effects (World Health Organization, 2017). In April-June 2017 period, the incidence of pesticide toxicity occurred in North Sumatra, allegedly because the source of water in the residents’ homes was polluted by agricultural pesticides. This incident resulted in 120 victims without any deaths (Sentra Informasi Keracunan Nasional, 2017). Poisoning cases also often occur in Karo District and are spread in several areas ranging from an average of 55.26% to 91.25% (Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Karo, 2008). Acute toxicity also often occurs due to the ingestion of herbicides, pesticides, Gramaxon, and Roundup (Rumah Sakit Umum Kabanjahe, 2018). It means the risk of toxicity is very high in pesticides used by farmers, and the tendency to experience chronic toxicity was potentially high in the Karo Regency. Chronic toxicity more difficult to detect because it is not directed to show the specific symptoms and signs. However, chronic toxicity in a long time causes the health problems that are often associated with pesticide use like eye and skin irritation, cancer, miscarriage, defects in infants, as well as nerve, liver, kidney, and respiratory problems. Based on literature studies, the effects of pesticide exposure caused multiple myeloma, sarcoma, prostate and pancreatic cancer, uterine cancer, pancreas, breast cancer, neurobehavioral, and Hodgkin (Alavanja, Hoppin, & Kamel, 2004; Arcury & Quandt, 2003; Deborah, 2006; Engel et al., 2005). The other symptoms such as pupils or iris slits narrowing that made the vision becomes blurred, watery eyes, foaming mouth, headaches, dizziness, shock, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, paralyzed and faint (Yuantari, 2011; Yuantari, Widianarko, & Sunoko, 2015).