Effectiveness of the environmental health literacy program in prevention of health effects from particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (pm2.5) by village health volunteers (VHV) in Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chiang Rai Province has experienced persistent fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution exceeding national standards since 2011, posing serious threats to the environment and public health. Enhancing environmental health literacy (EHL) and health surveillance skills is crucial, particularly among Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) who serve as community health communicators. VHVs need appropriate knowledge, skills, and practices to effectively communicate with the community.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an EHL program in improving literacy levels and preventive behaviors of VHVs against PM2.5-related health impacts in Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai Province.
METHODS: A quasi-experimental study with pre–post measurements and a control group was conducted. The experimental group (n=38) participated in a four-session EHL program, with data collected at week 12 after the program. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests for within-group comparisons, and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, with significance level set at p<0.05.
RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all four domains of EHL, as well as in health surveillance behaviors under conditions of acceptable air quality and preventive behaviors under conditions of adverse air quality (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Post-intervention comparisons revealed that the experimental group had significantly higher environmental health literacy and health surveillance and preventive behavior scores than the control group (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: These findings indicate that the EHL–based program was effective in enhancing health literacy levels and promoting behavioral change among VHVs for reducing health impacts from PM2.5 exposure. The program should be expanded to VHVs in other areas, particularly those with high levels of air pollution and PM2.5. Continuous training and activities are recommended to sustain environmental health literacy and preventive health behaviors over the long term.
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