Occupational Health Literacy among Aircraft Maintenance Mechanics in Private Aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Facilities in Thailand
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Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess occupational health literacy (OHL) and related factors among aircraft maintenance mechanics in private aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul facilities in Thailand. The sample consisted of 691 mechanics. Data were collected using an OHL self-administered questionnaire, covering 6 domains, which was validated for content validity and reliability. The data were analysed using multiple linear regression statistics. The results revealed that the average OHL score among the sample was 143.56 ± 10.54 points, corresponding to 89.72% of the total score, categorized as high level of OHL. The predictor variables that significantly explained the overall OHL score at a 0.05 significance level accounted for 57.74% of the variance (R² = 0.5774) included gender, departments, years of work experience, being aware of occupational health and safety policies, and support from the organization regarding health surveillance and disease prevention. Factors associated with OHL, statistically significant at the .05 level, included being male gender, having 11 years or more of work experience, working in the hangar department, and being aware of occupational health and safety policies. Based on the findings, enhancing OHL among aircraft maintenance mechanics should focus on improving media literacy and increasing awareness of occupational health and safety policies, ensuring that mechanics understand and align with these policies and the guidelines, which will further improve their OHL levels.
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