ปัจจัยที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับพฤติกรรมการป้องกันผลกระทบต่อสุขภาพจากฝุ่น PM 2.5  ของผู้สูงอายุในพื้นที่มลพิษข้ามแดน

Jarintorn Koteprom; Nadhamon Jompaeng; Prapakorn Srisanga; Nuttiya Prommasaka Na Sakonnakhon

Authors

Jarintorn Koteprom Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Phanom University
Nadhamon Jompaeng Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Phanom University
Prapakorn Srisanga Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Phanom University
Nuttiya Prommasaka Na Sakonnakhon Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Phanom University

Keywords:

Older adults, PM 2.5, Preventive behaviors, Health literacy

Abstract

Introduction: Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (PM 2.5) poses a significant health threat, particularly for the vulnerable elderly population. Investigating preventive behaviors against PM 2.5 among older adults and the factors influencing these behaviors is crucial for developing appropriate health promotion strategies.

Research objectives: This study aimed to: 1) assess the levels of health information seeking, health literacy, and preventive behaviors against PM 2.5 health effects among older adults, and 2) explore the relationships between personal factors, health information seeking, health literacy, and preventive behaviors against PM 2.5 health effects among older adults.

Research methodology: This descriptive research involved 213 older adults in Nakhon Phanom Municipality, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi - square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results: 1) Participants demonstrated moderate levels of health information seeking (M = 2.40,SD = 1.06), low levels of health literacy regarding PM 2.5 (M = 1.91, SD = 1.12), and poor preventive behaviors against PM 2.5 health effects (M = 1.83, SD = .98). 2) Education level (= 7.11, p < .001), health information seeking (r = .371, p < .01), and health literacy (r = .921, p < .01) were significantly associated with preventive behaviors. Conversely, gender, income, and health status showed no significant relationships with preventive behaviors.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that older adults exhibited low levels of preventive behaviors against PM 2.5, which correlate with education level, information seeking, and health literacy.

Implications: It is recommended to develop targeted health literacy promotion programs addressing PM 2.5 for older adults and to enhance health information communication methods to improve accessibility. Such initiatives could foster appropriate preventive behaviors within this population.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). Factsheet: Ambient (outdoor) air pollution [internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Jul 4 ]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

Phosri A, Ueda K, Phung VLH, Tawatsupa B, Honda A, Takano H. Effects of ambient air pollution on daily hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Bangkok, Thailand. Science of The Total Environment 2019;651(Pt 1):1144-53. doi: org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.183

Wu X, Braun D, Schwartz J, Kioumourtzoglou MA, Dominici F. Evaluating the impact of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter on mortality among the elderly. Science Advances [Internet] 2020 [cited 2024 Jul 4 ];6(29):eaba5692. doi: org/10.1126/sciadv.aba5692

Sripaung N, Anantagulnathi P. Manual for surveillance, prevention, and control of diseases and health threats caused by PM 2.5. Nonthaburi: Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health; 2021. (in Thai)

Kaewphet S. Perception and response behaviors towards particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM 2.5): a case study of motorcycle taxi drivers in Din Daeng district, Bangkok [thesis]. Bangkok Chulalongkorn University; 2021.

Sittiyos S, Vongruang P, Lamluk P. Environmental health literacy and PM2.5 prevention behavior of the youth in highland areas during the smog episode in Phayao Province, Thailand. Academic Journal of Community Public Health 2023;9(1):1-15. (in Thai)

Intarakamhang U. Creating the situations report of environmental health literacy on preventing the health impacts from dust particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM 2.5) of village health volunteers in ecological industrial urban areas. Nonthaburi: Health Impact Assessment Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Jul 4]. Available from: http://bsris.swu.ac.th/upload/319381.pdf. (in Thai)

Rattasamphan S, Sirabharamisitti N, Rattasamphan C. The relationship between health literacy and preventive behaviors against PM 2.5 exposure among pregnant women at Pathum Thani Hospital. Journal of Research in Nursing-Midwifery and Health Sciences 2022;42(3):53-62. (in Thai)

Malaicharoen H, Sutheeprasert T, Thongnak T, Komonmalai W. Factors related to prevention behaviors from particulate matter (PM 2.5) among Napralan Inhabitants Chalermprakiat District, Saraburi province. Journal of Public Health Innovation 2022;2(3):1-15. (in Thai)

Wongarsa O. The relationship between media exposure and health behaviors to prevent PM 2.5 dust among people in Bangkok [thesis]. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University; 2020.

Nutbeam, D.The evolving concept of health literacy. Social Science & Medicine 2008;67:2072-78. doi: org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.050

Upatum P. Health information seeking behavior of elderly. Parichart Journal Thaksin University 2016;29(2):70-87. (in Thai)

Wongkampun S, Panitrat R. Factors influencing health information technology utilization behaviors among older people in Bangkok Metropolitan. The Journal of Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council 2023;38(3):182-99. (in Thai)

Trainattawan W, Wirojratana V, Watanakukrilert D. Factors influencing health literacy among older adults. Journal of Health Science Research 2019;13(2):41-51. (in Thai)

Rasiri T, Songthap A. Factors predicting health promotion behaviors of homebound older adults in Phitsanulok province. The Southern College Network Journal of Nursing and Public Health 2021;8(1):127-39. (in Thai)

Weng YL, Liang CC, Tseng CC, Lee SY, Yeh GL. A survey of PM2.5 preventive behavioral intention and related factors among community elderly in Northern Taiwan. Medicine [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2024 Jul 4];100(29):e26675, July 23, 2021. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026675

Wang Z, Liu J, Wang B, Zhang B, Deng N. Health benefits from risk information of air pollution in China. Scientific Report [Internet] 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 4];13(1):15432. doi: org/10.1038/s41598-023-42502-6