Examining the Relationship Between Pesticide Use Levels and Infant Mortality: Correlational and Spatial Analysis by Province (2020–2024)

Abstract

Numerous studies conducted worldwide have highlighted the harmful effects of excessive pesticide use in weed control on human health. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between pesticide use levels and infant number of deaths in different provinces of Türkiye. Pesticide use reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for the years 2020 and 2024, and infant mortality data by province from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) were used. The analysis of the data was conducted utilising SPSS, Jamovi, and Jasp software. Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to ascertain the statistical relationship between the data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant, and the findings were visualised by creating geographic maps using QGIS and GeoDa software to demonstrate spatial overlap. The analyses revealed a moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation between pesticide use at the provincial level and all infant mortality periods in both years examined. Geographic distribution maps demonstrated that the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Southeastern Anatolia regions, where pesticide use was most intensive, also exhibited the highest infant mortality rates, thereby providing spatial evidence for this correlation. An examination of the four-year period reveals a concurrent increase in pesticide utilisation and a decrease in infant number of deaths. The significant positive correlation obtained indicates that environmental pesticide exposure, along with other determinants such as socioeconomic status, is a potential risk factor contributing to infant mortality.