Search

This study was conducted to develop the Dust Exposure Reduction Behavior Scale (DERBS) and to validate it for the general population. The scale was developed based on Williamson's model of everyday life information seeking. For exploratory factor analysis and confirmative factor analysis, 274 subjects aged 18 or older were recruited in South Korea using convenience sampling between February 1 and March 28, 2021. Content validity, convergence validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability were examined according to DeVellis' methodology. The DERBS consists of 12 items with four factors: protection from dust, staying inside, sharing information, and health promotion. Convergent validity with the personal environmental health behaviors scale was supported (r =.63, p <.001), and Cronbach's alpha was.83. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit (χ2 = 106.36, p <.001, Q = 2.22, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.06, IFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.94, PNFI = 0.66, PCFI = 0.69). The DERBS is a valid and reliable scale for measuring dust reduction behaviors under circumstances of indoor and outdoor air pollution. This scale can be utilized in educational interventions aiming to enhance environmental health behavior and promote respiratory health outcomes. This DERBS will be able to objectively measure outcomes in investigations of health behavior under circumstances where air pollution is serious and interventions are needed to target environmental health behaviors. It will also contribute to the promotion of environmental health behaviors related to the reduction of fine dust exposure among community residents. Plain language summary: This study was conducted to develop the Dust Exposure Reduction Behavior Scale (DERBS) and to validate it for the general population. Currently, as environmental pollution worsens, concerns grow proportionately regarding environmental toxins and their potential detrimental effect on human health. Further, it has been shown that a large proportion of air pollution is inhaled in the form of fine dust, which adversely affects respiratory health. However, there is little research on scales developed for measuring fine dust reduction behaviors, as researchers have only developed tools with a more limited scope appropriate for specific research topics. Therefore, a validated tool is needed to measure changes in health behavior to reduce exposure to air pollution caused by fine dust. Accordingly, we intended to develop a tool to measure fine dust reduction behavior for residents living in communities. This scientific tool will be able to objectively measure outcomes in investigations of health behavior under circumstances where air pollution is serious and interventions are needed to target environmental health behaviors. It will also contribute to the promotion of environmental health behaviors related to the reduction of fine dust exposure among community residents. We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because the effect was confirmed, so it can be used as a basis for the active application of environmental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and examine the effects of an internet-based intervention program on environmental perception and behavior among Korean pregnant women based on revised protection motivation theory. Method: This study was a non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design. The experimental program consisted of prenatal education, reduction of fine dust, birth education, environmental health promotion, and postnatal management education using zoom video conferences. The face-to-face interventions were provided through regular prenatal classes at public health services for the control group. The total participant was 49 pregnant women: 25 in the experimental group and 24 in the control group. The program adaptation was conducted between April 2021 and November 2021 in Korea. The data were analyzed by ANCOVA and t-test to examine the effects using SPSS 26.0 program. Results: After intervention of the program, environmental severity (F = 17.96, p <.001), response efficacy (F = 15.69, p <.001), and total environmental perception (F = 7.80, p =.008) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. There were no significant differences in feasibility, accessibility, satisfaction, susceptibility, self-efficacy, barrier, personal environmental behavior, and community environmental behavior between the two groups. Conclusion: The internet-based educational program can be the alternative for the face-to-face prenatal class to promote environmental health perceptions during pregnancy in the pandemic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study is aimed to develop and test the measurement of environmental health perceptions and behavior concerning female adolescents' reproductive health. Methods: The scales constructed through literature review, in ‐depth interview, and factor analysis based on the protection motivation theory. The sample comprised 384 female adolescents for exploratory factor analysis, aged 18‐22 years, and recruited in September‐November 2019 in South Korea. The construct was validated using factor analysis, convergent validity, and known‐group comparisons. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency and half‐split reliability. Results: The environmental health perception for female adolescents (EHP‐FA) comprises "Sensitivity," "Susceptibility," "Response efficacy," and "Self‐efficacy." The environmental health behavior for female adolescents (EHB‐FA), based on principal component analysis, yielded 19 items with five factors, including "Chemical reduction," "Electromagnetic reduction," "Food selection," "Cosmetic selection," "Dust & Gas reduction," and explained 62.6% of the variance (Cronbach's α =.93). Conclusion: The utility of EHP‐FA and EHB‐FA recommend assessment of female youth's environmental attention and health behavior in the community. Nursing professionals can use the scales to promote female adolescents' reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate pro‐environmental health perceptions, behaviour and educational needs among pregnant women in Korea. Background: Based on concerns about the effects of environmental hazards and pollution on their babies and themselves, pregnant women behave in ways that protect their health. The framework of this study was based on Rogers' protection motivation theory. Design: Cross‐sectional survey using questionnaires. Method: The sample comprised 358 pregnant women recruited from July – August 2018 in South Korea. Participants were recruited from prenatal classes at two healthcare centres and patients receiving prenatal check‐ups at two women's hospitals. Results: Perceived educational needs were ranked in the following order: particulate matter (23.7%), electromagnetic waves (11.7%), instant food (food additives) (9.0%) and environmental hormones (8.3%). Age (β = 0.17, p =.001), perceived severity (β = 0.19, p =.001) and response efficacy (β = 0.28, p <.001) affected pro‐environmental behaviour, which explained 23.0% of the variance. Conclusion: Educational programs are necessary for mitigating environmental risks during pregnancy. Pregnant women engage in pro‐environmental behaviour influenced by pro‐environmental perceptions, especially perceptions of severity regarding environmental diseases and the efficacy of health behavioural responses. Nursing professionals can use these results to promote pro‐environmental health in pregnant women. Impact: This study demonstrated that pregnant women need environmental health programs in prenatal education. Pro‐environmental perceptions regarding the severity of the environmental diseases and behavioural efficacy preceded the formation of environmental health behaviours. Nurses should support pregnant women's environmental health through educational interventions including air, electromagnetic, food pollution and endocrine disruptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]