Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (Dec 2019)

Health Belief Model and Behavioural Usage of Respiratory Protective Equipment among Sugarcane Workers in Northeast of Thailand: A Cross-sectional Analytical Study

  • Wipada Panakobkit,
  • Pornpun Sakunkoo,
  • Pall Chamroen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2019/42085.13380
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 12
pp. LC06 – LC09

Abstract

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Introduction: Workers in developing countries face as many difficulties particularly occupational health hazards as their counterparts in industrialised nations. The Health Belief Model (HBM) encourage workers to use Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) that could protect them from risks of environmental health and work-safety caused by bagasse dust. Aim: To investigate the relationship between HBM and behavioural usage of RPE among Sugarcane Factory Workers (SFW) in Thailand. Materials and Methods: A Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 588 SFW in Northeast, Thailand by using multistage sampling to select the sample size. The structured questionnaire was comprised of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. The content validity of questionnaire was tested by 3 experts and had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.86. The data were presented as proportions, mean±standard deviation or median and range as in descriptive statistics. In addition, associated factors with behaviour using RPE were analysed by multiple logistic regression showing 95% CI and p<0.05 was statistically significant. Results: Most workers had good level of behavioural usage of RPE (64.80%, 95%CI: 60.92-68.67). The common types of RPE usage were cotton masks (94.56%). The sources of information on RPE usage as provided by safety officers were 77.89%, by supervisors (70.41%) and by knowledge boards in factories (37.24%) respectively. Additionally, workers who had good level of HBM in perceived benefits were 2.67 times more likely to have good behaviour in usage of RPE when compared with those who had poor level of HBM in perceived benefits (Adjusted OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.53 to 4.62, p=0.001). Conclusion: More than half of SFW had good level of usage of RPE. HBM in perceived benefits had influenced on good level of usage of RPE of workers. Therefore encouraging workers to use RPE can prevent work related respiratory diseases by strict regulation and enforcement of occupational laws.

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