Factors affecting firefighter occupational cancer risk adjustment

Abstract

Recent research has shown firefighters are at a higher risk for cancer diagnosis than the general population. Experts have offered six hazard adjustments that may assist in reducing the level of exposure to carcinogens. This study was conducted to better understand what motivates or deters firefighters from engaging in these hazard adjustments. The sample was firefighters who had attended or were otherwise associated with the Alabama Fire College (Alabama, USA). An internet survey was administered to collect the data. The participant recruitment email was opened by 1,539 individuals, and 358 responses were received, giving a response rate of 23%. The findings suggest that firefighters' occupational cancer risk perceptions are high. Also, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and cost of engaging in the behavior were much more reliable predictors of intention and actual hazard adjustment than risk perception, salience, and exposure. The concept of peer perception is used in this Protection Motivation Theory study, which also affects firefighters’ completion of hazard adjustment. The findings of this study will assist fire service leaders in adapting education programs, policies, and procedures to better protect firefighters from occupational cancer risk.

Keywords

• protection motivation theory
• firefighter cancer risk
• hazard adjustment