Health behaviors related to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the associated factors of adolescent Korean girls

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationships among knowledge about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), recognition of EDCs-related female reproductive illnesses, concern for the environment, perceived susceptibility to EDCs-related diseases, self- appraisal of exposure to EDCs, and health behaviors related to EDCs in adolescent Korean girls. A convenience sample of 218 girls was recruited during July and August 2015 from middle and high schools located in a city in Korea. The self-administered questionnaire incorporated four characteristics of the participants, five related factors, and a dependent variable of health behaviors. Four of the factors explained 20.4 percent of variance in health behaviors, and after controlling covariates, concern for the environment and self-appraisal of exposure to EDCs were still significant factors explaining 29.0 percent of the variance in health behaviors. However, for one factor, knowledge about EDCs, no independent contribution to health behaviors was observed. The findings indicated that education for young women should focus on enhancing their interests in the environment and awareness of environmental hazards. Further, clear and reliable guidelines to protect young women from the exposure to EDCs should be provided to adolescent girls.