Pesticides have a great role in guaranteeing food security and economic development; however, their intensive use has raised concern regarding the possible short-and long-term health effects of pesticides among applicators in particular and the public at large. This study aimed to investigate occupational and non-occupational pesticide exposures, associated health risks, and pesticide management practices among extension officers, pesticide applicators and non-applicator residents in rural Ethiopia, and to compare it to the situation in Hungary, as reported by plant doctors. A community-based cross-sectional study was completed involving 326 officers (234 extension officers from Ethiopia and 92 plant doctors from Hungary) between 2019 and 2020. Thereafter, a survey involving 1073 study participants (803 pesticide applicators and 270 non-applicators residents) was conducted in Ethiopia in 2021. In both questionnaire surveys, information on pesticide handling, knowledge and attitude to risks of pesticides, experienced health effects and applied preventive measures were collected. Uni- and multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify predictors of knowledge and attitude, health effects and applied preventive measures by estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios and prevalence ratios. The Ethiopian officers had significantly lower knowledge of pesticide products (66%) and more frequently experienced pesticide poisoning among applicators (41%) than the Hungarian colleagues (92% and 7%, respectively). The Hungarian officers deemed less health risk of pesticide use (AOR=0.46 (0.27-0.80), p<0.01), were ten times more likely to perceive the pesticide control system effective (AOR=10.23 (5.68-18.46), p<0.001) and were nine times more likely to declare that applicators used personal protective equipment (AOR=8.95 (4.94-16.28), p<0.001). A substantial proportion of respondents from both countries reported unacceptable methods of pesticide residue disposal and illegal importation of pesticides from bordering countries. In Ethiopia, applicators had a significantly higher proportion of good knowledge of pesticides (75% vs 14%; APR=1.54 (1.368-1.75), p<0.001) and had a higher mean score of perceived health risk of pesticide use (4.21 vs 3.90; APR=1.08 (1.01-1.16), p<0.05) than the residents. A considerably higher proportion of applicators experienced health effects probably related to pesticide exposure (36%) than the residents (16%) (APR=1.15 (1.01-1.32), p<0.05). Certain symptoms presumably associated with pesticide exposure, such as cough, shortness of breath, dizziness and skin irritation, were significantly more frequently declared by them. Perceptions related to the toxicity of presently used pesticide products, mixing pesticides without gloves, the occurrence of splash during mixing and application, regular maintenance and washing of the sprayer tank after spraying, and using home-based care after experiencing a symptom presumably related to pesticide exposure were significantly associated with experiencing health effects among applicators. A considerably high proportion of applicators declared insufficient use of preventive measures and inappropriate leftover pesticide residue disposal methods. Nevertheless, consistent use of a face mask and visiting a health facility when experiencing a symptom presumably related to pesticide exposure were significantly positively associated with receiving training on health risks and pesticide use. A considerably higher proportion of applicators declared insufficient use of preventive measures and inappropriate leftover pesticide residue disposal methods. Therefore, comprehensive interventions are required, practical-oriented field-based in-depth training for extension officers and applicators focusing on safety precautions and proper use of personal protective equipment is of paramount importance. It is inevitable to establish effective pesticide management, monitoring, and evaluation system and to ensure restrictive law enforcement. Providing accessibility of PPE at affordable prices and provision of adequate pesticide waste disposal means are crucial interventions to safeguard the health of pesticide applicators and the public at large.