International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 6 Issue 5, May 2017 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Effectiveness of VAT on Agriculture Safety and Health Hazards among the Farmers at Meerut Nikhil 1 , Naveena J H 2 , Geeta Parwanda 3 1 Lecturer, Muzaffarnagar Nursing Institute, Muzaffarnagar, UP 2 Assistant Professor III, Amity College of Nursing, Amity University, Gurgaon, Haryana 3 Principal, Panna Dhai Maa Subharti Nursing College, Swamy Vivekanand Subharti Univrsity, Meerut, UP Abstract: Background of the study : Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; and farming is one of the few industries in which family members (who often share the work and live on the premises) are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries. 1 Aim: The main aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching (VAT) on Agriculture safety and health hazards among the farmers at Meerut. Methodology : The Experimental study was conducted using Pre-Experimental research design (one group pre test post test design) at Ghat village Meerut. The conceptual framework used in the study was General system theory. The total sample size for the study was 60 farmers. Written consent has obtained from the samples. Purposive sampling technique has used and data collection by structured interview questionnaire. Results : Overall pre test knowledge scores were 49.16% and post test knowledge scores were 81.08%. Net benefit of the study was 31.92% rise in the knowledge of farmers. The difference between pre and post- test Knowledge score is t=21.29 (at P=0.001level of significance) and it was statistically significant. There was a significant association between post-test level of knowledge among farmers with their educational status χ 2 =12.468, (at P=0.05 level of significance). Conclusion : This study concludes that VAT was definitely effective teaching method in improving the knowledge level on agriculture safety and health hazards among the farmers working in agriculture field. Keywords: Effectiveness, VAT, Agriculture safety, Health hazards, Farmers 1. Introduction Agriculture is essential for good health. There is a bidirectional link between agriculture and health, agriculture influences health and health influences agriculture. Agricultural workers suffer markedly higher rates of accidents and fatal injuries than other workers, with very few resources available for compensation. One of the difficulties in dealing with agriculture is that it is a very complex and heterogeneous sector. Even so, compared to workers in other sectors, agricultural workers are still under- protected. Occupational safety and health in agriculture need to be addressed with a well-defined strategy and must be integrated into a rural development policy. Integration into the primary health care structure is strongly recommended. 2 Agriculture provides opportunities to improve as well as pose risks to health. The toll on human health that results from improper agricultural practices includes considerable economic losses such as the cost of mortality, productive capacity lost due to premature death and morbidity resulting from hospitalization and health care services, both public and private. Finally there is the intangible cost of pain, suffering, anxiety and reduction of the quality of life. 3 A farmer spends more than third of his waking daily life time at field, and carries the effects caused by working condition back to home. The family and social life also reflect in his work. The working population is one on which the entire community is dependent, the quality of life of this section of population determines the economic security and social security of the community. 4 According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the agricultural sector is one of the most hazardous to health worldwide. Agricultural work possesses several characteristics that are risky for health: exposure to the weather, close contact with animals and plants, extensive use of chemical and biological products, difficult working postures and lengthy hours, and use of hazardous agricultural tools and machinery. The agricultural sector and health sector should develop and build on ways of working with farmers to grow crops that promote healthier cultivation practices and reduce exposure to hazards. Health-sector staff, meanwhile, should document health problems and identify the greatest hazards, help explain the health reasons for such changes, and monitor changes in health with improved production methods. 5 More than any other occupational group, agricultural workers are exposed to a tremendous variety of environmental hazards that are potentially harmful to their health and well-being. Farmers and farm workers suffer from increased rates of respiratory diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin disorders, certain cancers, chemical toxicity, and heat-related illnesses. There are precautions that can be taken to minimize or eliminate these potential hazards. 6 It is found that the agriculture workers have very little knowledge about the health hazards and Agriculture safety. Hence the investigator felt a need to give a Video Assisted teaching among agriculture workers to promote Agriculture safety. 2. Literature Survey A cross sectional descriptive study carried out to in Fadan- Daji (FD), Kaduna state, Nigeria. A sample size of 250 Paper ID: ART20173590 1493