Abdel-Rasoul_2019_Egypt.J.Occup.Med_43_331

Background: Adolescent females living in agricultural areas where crops are routinely sprayed by pesticides are expected to be environmentally exposed to pesticides' health hazards partially as those occupationally exposed. Objective: to assess menstrual and neurobehavioral disorders among adolescent females environmentally exposed to pesticides. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 pesticide exposed adolescent females who had one or more of family members are pesticides' seasonal applicators and 50 non- exposed adolescent females matched for age and education, served as controls at Menoufia governorate, Egypt during the period of pesticide application season of cotton crop from the first days of May to the end of September 2017. A self-administered and a series of neurobehavioral tests were administered and serum Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was assessed. Results: A significant lower AChE activity levels were found in the exposed group than controls (Mean+/-SD=238.49+/- 23.83 vs 303.35+/-78.54 IU/L; respectively). There were significant higher mean scores of trail making test (parts 1 and 2) and significant lower mean scores of (similarities test, Benton visual retention test, block design test, Santa Ana dexterity test (dominant and non-dominant hands) and Beery visuo-motor imitation test in the exposed group than the controls (P<0.05). Also, the exposed group reported more prevalent irregular menstrual cycle (26.8%) and intermenstrual bleeding (28.2%) compared to the control participants (8.1% and 8.1%; respectively). Conclusion: Adolescent females living in agricultural areas and from families whose one or more members are pesticides' applicators have significantly lower neurobehavioral performance, report more prevalent menstrual irregularities and have lower levels of serum AChE compared to a control group. The neurobehavioral deficits demonstrated a dose-response relationship AChE levels in the exposed participants. This necessitates the need for implementation of health education programs to prevent or reduce health effects associated with pesticide exposure to adolescent females.