Table 5

Naïve and multivariate mixed-effect regression models for weekly pesticide exposure in Zarcero County, Costa Rica, 2016

Model A
EXPOSUREWEEK
All farmers (n=442; co=280, su=124, or=38)*
Variance component%GSDR0.95ICCModel B
EXPOSURE WEEK
>0 (n=312; co=202, su=89, or=21)*
Variance component%GSDR0.95ICC
Empty modelEmpty model
Random effect intercept1.160.392.9367.790.39Random effect intercept0.740.532.3629.130.53
Random error1.790.613.81188.73Random error0.660.472.2524.18
Multivariate modelMultivariate model
Random effect intercept1.030.372.7653.740.37Random effect intercept0.480.562.0015.120.56
Random error1.750.633.75178.16Random error0.380.441.8511.13
Full model explains6%
of variability
Full model explains39%
of variability
Predictorexp(ß)exp(ß) (95% CI)P valuePredictorexp(ß)exp(ß) (95% CI)P value
Intercept6.403.4116.05<0.01Intercept27.2516.2449.12<0.01
Farm typeOrganic1.001.001.00Farm typeOrganic1.001.001.00
Sustainable1.610.773.320.23Sustainable1.000.601.680.99
Conventional2.151.094.230.03Conventional1.360.842.200.21
Years worked with pesticides0.990.981.010.29Years worked with pesticides0.990.981.000.26
TrainingNo1.001.001.00TrainingNo1.001.001.00
Yes0.670.450.990.04Yes0.620.480.81<0.01
NationalityCosta Rica1.001.001.00NationalityCosta Rica1.001.001.00
Nicaragua1.140.741.770.55Nicaragua1.120.841.500.43
  • Model A: all study participants who applied pesticides during the last 12 months before the baseline visit (221 farm workers, 442 observations).

  • Model B: study participants who applied pesticides during the week before the baseline and/or follow-up visits (190 farm workers, 312 observations.

  • *co, conventional; or, organic; su, sustainable.

  • †ln transformed values.

  • ‡130 observations were 0 as participants did not apply pesticides in the week before the baseline or follow-up visit.

  • GSD, geometric SD;ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; R0.95, ratio of the 97.5th and 2.5th percentile of the intraindividual and interindividual exposure distribution.