IMPACT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON JOB INVOLVEMENT OF FARMERS AT PADAVIYA AREA IN ANURADAPURA DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE OF UNKNOWN ETIOLOGY (CKDUE)

Abstract

Increased incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Un-known Etiology (CKDUe) since late 1990s in the dry zone agriculture regions like the North Central Province in Sri Lanka has become a national issue. The social, cultural and environmental changes occurred due to various developmcnt activitics in the region since 1980s may have contributed significantly to change the livelihood of people ineluding their food habits, lifestyle and directly or indirectly have influenced the emergence of CKDUe as the main mortality factor. So far no detailed studies have been done to document, behavioral and psychological changes of the residents in areas where the prevalence of CKDUe is very high (in Anuradhapura District). Hence with the help of a structured survcy questionnaire, a detailed study was carried out among 200 individuals in Padaviya Area to detenninc thc level of stress, marginalization and depression of CKDUe a!lected fanners; fanner-families with CKDUe patients, relations, neighbours and farmer-families assuming that they have a potential for CKDUe. The survey revealed that 33.5% of the respondents are suffering from CKDUe. In addition, 36% respondents reported that their neighbors have family members with CKDUe and 30.5% reported that they arc among the risk group with a potential tor CKDUe infection. The survcy also revealed that CKDUe has influenced negatively on the occupation of the fanners in that area. The driving force, satisfaction, happiness and enthusiasm for fanning have been influenced negatively not only on those who are suffering from CKDUe but also on those fanners whose neighbors, relations and those who assume that they have a potential for CKDUe infection. The relationship between depression and fimning activity (Job Involvement) of respondents indicated that tanning activity dccreases in parallel to their increased depression levels. This outcome reflects that the pleasure and ii satisfaction gained in farming has declined within the community which is residing in CKDUe affected area. The survey revealed a significant strong negative relationship between the stress level of the respondents and their involvement in farming. It indicated a negative relationship between the marginalization level and respondents involvement in fanning and fanners have become helpless when they understood that they have infected with CKDUe. The effect of CKDUe on psychology and behavior of the community as shown by the indicators like - stress, depression and marginalization - very clearly indicates a disquieting situation. As it is emphasized that farming has been a way oflives of the Sri Lankans over centuries; the influence of CKDUe on the farming community nccds to be taken very scriously in government development agcndas. A holistic approach is an urgent and national requiremcnt to re-establish the limning communities in the CKDUe affected areas in the North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Remedial measures to improve the living standard should include - not only upgrading the environment qualities, health facilities and financial benelits to upgrade the lives but also counseling to heal the behavioral and psychological trauma of CKDUc.