Thesis:

Factors contributing to pesticide residues in raw honey as a contemporary public health issue in mwingi central, Kitui county, Kenya

Since honey is a natural product, it needs to be safeguarded for consumption by humans and free of any chemicals. Yet, recent studies on honey from around the world have demonstrated a global prevalence of pesticide residues in honey as a public health concern. However, very little is written about the contributory factors involved. Information on residue presence in raw honey from most of the African countries is scanty. Further, there is a lack of homogeneity on the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides in honey among state jurisdictions. This study, therefore, investigated aspects leading to the occurrence of pesticide residues in raw honey as a contemporary public health issue in Mwingi Central, Kitui County, Kenya, and recommended mitigation measures. To this end, the study sought to determine the socio demographic factors, pesticide use related factors, pesticide types in use in the study area and their respective concentrations compared to European Union Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of honey. The descriptive, cross-sectional study design applying mixed research methods was used in this study. The study used probability-sampling methods, while using a questionnaire for collection. A total of 375 honey samples were purposively collected from 5 wards (Kivou, Nguni, Nuu, Mui, Waita in Kitui County, Mwingi Central. Honey samples were prepared in line with the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) approach. Liquid chromatography in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS) was applied in this study to detect pesticide residues in honey at Kabete Vet labs, Nairobi, Kenya. Data was analyzed using Bivariate associations, multivariate analysis, Chi square test, one sample t-test and SPSS. Descriptive statistics- percentages, graphs and frequency distribution tables were employed for data presentation. The research established that 73% of sampled raw honey had traces of pesticides. The pesticide residue concentrations were below the recommended EU MRLs except for Thiamethoxam (0.06), a neonicotinoid. Pesticide use -related factors were found to be statistically significant. Socio-demographic factors examined, except age (P=0.7753), and pesticide types were statistically significant. These findings led to the conclusion that honey samples analyzed from Mwingi pose no health risk to public health. A significant proportion of study participants do not have any training on pesticides use and safety. The following recommendations based on the investigation findings were therefore made: There is need to review the current policy and legal framework and conduct routine market surveillance on pesticide residues in raw honey and that the high level of neonicotinoids observed in sampled raw honey requires further attention in monitoring. Further, farmers and Beekeepers should be continuously trained on public health effects of pesticide residues in raw honey and need for usage of alternative pesticides such as bio pesticides. Future studies should also consider different regions, gender, risk perception and attitude to pesticide use as possible factors to pesticide residues presence in raw honey