The impact of attitude, information, situation, and behavior on problem recognition: The agrichemical training debate

Participation in agrichemical training courses and awareness of the benefits of information on safe and efficient agrichemical use and management is generally dependent upon recognition of a need or a desire for such training on the part of the primary producers. The majority of New Zealand's primary producers appear to believe that the safe management and use of agrichemicals in an important health issue in the primary sector. However, there is evidence that a considerable segment of New Zealand primary producers are not using adequate protective equipment. This article analyzes New Zealand primary producers' decision or desire to participate in agrichemical training and identifies factors, including attiudinal, behavioural, informational and current farming practices, that appear to influence the decision or desire to participate in agrichemical training. A qualitative choice model is developed to evaluate the influencing factors on problem recognition. Empirical results suggest that employee involvement and safe use and export factors are positively associated with problem recognition and factors representing experience, health ambivalence, and overconfidence are significantly negatively associated with problem recognition. The results also present a number of challenges for providers of agrichemical training programs and primary sector policy analysts. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.