Evulation of the knowledge level on the pesticides among the university students in Azerbaijan

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the awareness and knowledge level of Azerbaijani students regarding pesticides. Four hundred and one undergraduate and graduate students from the 2018-2019 educational year, ages 18-35 took part in this research. Research data was obtained by a online survey containing defining questions about students sociodemographic characteristics and pesticide knowledge level. The survey contained 23 questions in total. Demographic data, gender, city of residence, age, educational state, faculty, department and grade were questioned. Three questions about the knowledge sources of the environment and pesticide, pesticide practice experience and news concerning the environment and pesticide took place. Analysis of data results were done by help from SPSS( statistical package for social sciences) 16,0. Chi square analysis were performed to determinate the links between the scores of the general pesticide knowledge survey and the independent variable. From participants, 54.6% male and 45.4% female aged between 18-35. Pesticide knowledge level were defined as 52.6 % well, 35.9% average and 1.5% low. The scores of the pesticide knowledge survey between students differentiated according to their faculties, their pre knowledge about pesticides and having witnessed a spraying process. Despite students with 52.6% pesticide knowledge level having a well knowledge considering the fact that participants were society's high educationated individuals, their level is considered insufficient. In order to improve the education about the environment and pesticides new methods that raise the interest for environmental problems must be developed. Keywords: Azerbaijan, Environmental Education, Pesticides, Students, Knowledge Level.