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This book will give insight into the lives of ordinary rural African women who support their family working in their field and garden growing vegetables, using pesticides, dipping animals and carrying water from a river or communal tap. A casecontrol study was conducted to investigate the association between pesticide exposure and congenital malformation in babies born to rural women. Controls were chosen from the same area as the cases. The results of the study show a statistically significant association linking pesticide exposure as a result of field work, dipping or re-use of plastic containers to birth defects. Scientists and students considering conducting research in Sub-Saharan Africa might use this book as guidance on how to conduct research in this setting. The research methods have been described in detail. Politicians might want to read this book to understand the need for subsidies and training for rural women who conduct field and garden work to reduce their exposure and re-use of contaminated water containers. The secret lies in education for rural women, which might contribute in direct and indirect ways to improve health in an otherwise unhealthy environment.
About the author
Dr. Heeren has a MBBSc from Freie University, a MSc in Env. Epidemiology from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, a PhD in Statistics from University of Fort Hare, South Africa, and postdoctoral training in Health Psychology from University of Pennsylvania and has conducted public health and HIV research in South Africa for over 20 years.
