Predicting Factors of Preventive Behaviors from Air Pollution Exposure among Motorcycle Taxi Drivers in Mae Sot District, Tak Province

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine predicting factors of preventive behaviors from air pollution exposure among motorcycle taxi drivers.
Data were collected from 113 drivers in Mae Sot district, Tak province using self-administered questionnaires regarding personal factors,
predisposing factors, enabling factors, reinforcing factors and the self-protected behaviors from air pollution. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict factors related to preventive behaviors from air pollution. Additionally, the relationship between preventive behaviors and respiratory symptoms was analyzed using the chi-square.

The result showed that the most motorcycle taxi drivers were male (74.3%). The average age of drivers was 43.60 ±± 10.38 years old. Their average working experience was 6.73 ±± ±4.65 years. Findings from the study indicated a moderate level of predisposing factors about air pollution knowledge (58.4%) and awareness (54.9%). Their enabling factor about support personal protective equipment (66.3%) and perception of news about air pollution (39.8%) had a moderate level. While, their most self-protected behaviors from air pollution had a high level (39.8%). This study found that 3 factors were signifcant predictors of preventive behaviors from air pollution exposure i.e., reinforcing factor (perception of news about air pollution), personal factor (male) and enabling factor (support personal protective equipment) (B = 0.362 p = < 0.001; B = -1.685, p = 0.011; B =  0.360, p = 0.069, respectively). These factors could predict common preventive behaviors as 39.1%. In addition, it was found that the preventive behavior from air pollution exposure was statistically significant associated to respiratory symptoms. Related agencies should provide motorcycle taxi drivers with air pollution information and knowledge. They can obtain air pollution information through television, radio and training. Additional recommendation is to promote the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment.