Pesticides play a vital role in the control of agricultural and public health pests and in improving agricultural productivity; however, their improper application can result in serious adverse effects on human health and the environment. Pesticide vendors constitute a key link in the distribution chain and play an indispensable role in promoting safe use and raising awareness among end users. Therefore, assessing their knowledge regarding health, safety, and community well-being is of great importance.
This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 to evaluate the awareness, attitudes, and information sources of pesticide vendors in Shiraz, Iran. The study population included 45 pesticide retail stores randomly selected across the city. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS and Excel software.
The findings revealed that 88.89% of the store managers were male, and 42.23% were within the age group of 31–40 years. Forty percent of the respondents held a bachelor’s degree or higher, while 70.45% had educational backgrounds unrelated to agricultural engineering. In total, 41% of vendors believed that pesticides are directly harmful to human health, 79% reported that they always read pesticide labels, 78% considered the use of protective equipment essential during spraying, and 93% opposed drinking liquids during the preparation and spraying of pesticide solutions.
In conclusion, pesticide vendors in Shiraz demonstrated a relatively good level of awareness regarding the safe use of pesticides and their potential impacts on human and environmental health. Nevertheless, there remains a need for further education and information dissemination concerning modern pest control techniques and the safe handling of pesticides. Training programs that emphasize safe and effective pesticide use are essential, as enhancing the knowledge and attitudes of pesticide vendors can have a significant influence on sustainable agriculture and the public health of both farmers and the general population in Shiraz.