Safety Behavior Research Articles

Evolutionary Tripartite Game Model in the Coal Mine Risk-Hazard Double Pre-Control and Management in China

The classification, investigation, and management of the safety risk (namely, risk-hazard double pre-control management mechanism) in coal mines were introduced into a behavioral evolution game to assess the decision-making processes of coal mine workers, regulators, and supervisors. A tripartite game tree and a revenue perception matrix were constructed, and the evolutionary stability strategy (ESS) achieved by the evolutionary system under different conditions was obtained according to the replication dynamic equation (RD). The numerical simulation of the evolution game was conducted in MATLAB, which verified the influence of various parameters on the behaviors adopted by all parties. The results show: (1) When the safety, regulatory, and supervisory costs are high, the average expected value of mine workers, regulators, and supervisors to choose safety behaviors is low, so they adopt an unsafe behavior. By contrast, reducing costs can encourage the adoption of safety behaviors. (2) When the punishment for accident losses caused by unsafe behavior and the lack of regulations and supervision is higher than 50% of the initial state, the actors in the tripartite game are more inclined to avoid risks when facing cost losses in the short term, which can lead them to choose a safety behavior. (3) When the actors in the tripartite game face different accident probabilities and accident loss, with the severity of the accident increasing to 80% of the initial state, mine workers and regulators gradually adopt safety and regulation behaviors, and supervisors quickly adopt supervision methods.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Measure of Posttraumatic Safety Behaviors

Despite evidence that safety behaviors function as transdiagnostic causal maintenance factors for anxiety pathology, there has been relatively less empirical investigation of trauma-related safety behaviors in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder. This paper introduces the development and preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Posttraumatic Safety Behaviors Inventory (PSBI), a 10-item self-report assessment of trauma-relevant safety behaviors. Two samples totaling 597 trauma survivors (61.8% female; Mage = 40.0; 76.2% White/Caucasian) recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk completed the PSBI. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified a three-factor structure consisting of Avoidance, Coping with Negative Thoughts and Emotions, and Coping with Threats to Physical Safety. The PSBI also demonstrated favorable measurement invariance, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Taken together, our preliminary findings suggest that the PSBI is an efficient, psychometrically sound assessment tool for posttraumatic safety behaviors. With further psychometric validation, the PSBI promises to aid researchers and clinicians in the identification and monitoring of trauma-relevant safety behaviors.

Sport-related concussion knowledge and attitudes of staff working in English elite women’s football: a survey-based study

ABSTRACT Background Sport-related concussion (SRC) remains an injury of concern in sport, including football(soccer). There has been little investigation into SRC knowledge and attitudes of support staff working in the professional setting. Methods An amended version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey(RoCKAS) was distributed online to coaching staff, and medical and performance staff, working at clubs in the English Football Association Women’s SuperLeague (WSL) and Championship. Completion of the survey generated two scores: concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitudes index (CAI). Results Sixty-three completed surveys were returned. Eighteen respondents were coaching staff, and 45 were medical and performance staff. The median CKI in medical and performance staff was significantly greater than in coaching staff. There was no significant difference in CAIbetween coaching staff and medical and performance staff. There was no correlation between CKI and CAI across all staff. Conclusion Medical and performance staff working in elite women’s football have greater knowledge of SRC than coaching staff. However, this does not always translate into safe behaviours on the field. Education should continue to be mandated across the professional game amongst support staff in order to maximise player welfare and enhance injury outcomes, whilst also reinforcing present SRC guidance.

A Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Approach for Safe and Efficient Behavior Planning of Connected Autonomous Vehicles

A Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Approach for Safe and Efficient Behavior Planning of Connected Autonomous Vehicles

Sonnenschutz bei Beschäftigten im Freien. Entwicklung und Validierung von standardisierten Fragebögen für Verhalten und Wissen

Outdoor workers are at increased risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer. We aimed to address the lack of validated German-language measurement instruments for outdoor workers' sun safety behavior and knowledge by compiling and validating two questionnaires. By expert consensus, items for the assessment of protective behavior (OccuSun) were compiled based on existing instruments. For knowledge, a translation of the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge (SCSK) scale was selected. After a pre-test, a validation study including 68 outdoor workers (62% female) was conducted in 2020. The retest reliability was r=0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.86-0.96) for the protection score and rs=0.78 (0.67-0.86) for the knowledge score. Protective behaviors were correlated with respective diary data (0.38≤rs≤0.74, p<0.001) and skin pigmentation changes (-0.23 ≥ rs ≥ -0.42, 0.007≤p≤0.165) but not with self-reported sunburn frequency (0.21 ≥ rs ≥ -0.04). Among German outdoor workers, two questionnaires for the assessment of sun protection behavior (OccuSun) and knowledge (SCSK) demonstrated good reliability. The OccuSun had generally good validity. Both instruments are fit for subsequent validation to determine their sensitivity to change.

Predicting Intention for Food Safety Behavior among Food Handlers: A Cross-sectional Study in Indonesia’s Beach Culinary Area

Background: The food safety behavior of food handlers constitutes the main factor in foodborne disease control. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, behavior is determined by the intention that is established from a combination of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This research aimed to predict the intention for food safety behavior using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for two months in the Bantul beach culinary area, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The research population consisted of 80 food handlers representative of all existing seafood stalls. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face using a paper-based questionnaire related to attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention. The data collected were evaluated using structural equation model-partial least square (SEM-PLS), version 3.0, with a sig. level of 0.05. Results: This research successfully predicted 64.3% of the variance in the intention for food safety behavior of food handlers (R2 adjusted = 0.643). The variable-perceived behavioral control was the strongest and most significant predictor, with a positive effect on intention for food safety behavior (β = 0.560, p = 0.000 &lt; 0.05), followed by the variable subjective norms (β = 0.275, p = 0.001 &lt; 0.05). The variable attitude was the weakest predictor, with an insignificant positive effect (β = 007.0, p = 0.182 &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: This research successfully predicted the intention for food safety behavior of food handlers in the Bantul beach culinary area, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

유통산업의 ESG경영을 위한 임파워링리더십, 안전문화, 안전행동, 조직신뢰관계 연구

ESG management, which considers non-financial elements of companies, is the current emphasis of corporate management. To sustain development in the shifting business landscape, the distribution industry is exploring digital transformation(DX) initiatives like AI and robotics. However, to ensure environmental, social, and governance(ESG) safety, industry-specific precautions must be taken. This study focused on the ESG safety management in the distribution industry. It aimed to identify the mechanisms of empowering leadership, safety culture, safety behavior, and organizational trust. The study also empirically confirmed that safety culture acts as a mediator between empowering leadership and safety behavior. Additionally, it found that organizational trust plays a moderating role between safety culture and safety behavior. In order to achieve this objective, a survey was performed online with a sample size of 400 workers in the distribution industry. Out of the 400 replies, 384 were considered reliable for analysis after eliminating 16 dishonest responses. The data was then analyzed using SPSS 25.0 Process Macro and AMOS 22.0 to check the link between the main variables and test the hypotheses. The study revealed that empowering leadership had a large and beneficial impact on safety behavior and safety culture. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that the implementation of empowered leadership has a positive impact on safety culture, hence strengthening and initiating safety-related actions among individuals. Furthermore, it was discovered that organizational trust acts as a moderating mediator between empowering leadership and safety behavior, specifically through safety culture. The study confirmed that as the level of organizational trust increases, the positive impact of empowering leadership on safety behavior is enhanced through the mediating role of safety culture. The given findings provide theoretical and practical recommendations for implementing ESG safety compliance response systems and safety processes in the distribution industry.

Daily-life stress reactivity and recovery following virtual-reality-based cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with a psychotic disorder.

Studies have consistently demonstrated increased stress sensitivity in individuals with psychosis. Since stress sensitivity may play a role in the onset and maintenance of psychosis, this could potentially be a promising target for treatment. The current study was the first to investigate whether reactivity to and recovery from daily-life stressors in psychosis change in response to treatment, namely virtual-reality-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VR-CBT). 116 patients were randomized to either VR-CBT or the waiting list control group (WL). Pre-treatment and post-treatment participants completed a diary ten times a day during six to ten days. Multilevel analyses were used to model the time-lagged effects of daily stressful events on negative affect (NA) and paranoia symptoms to examine reactivity and recovery. There was a significant difference in NA reactivity. VR-CBT showed higher NA at post-treatment compared to pre-treatment than WL (bpre=0.14; bpost=0.19 vs bpre=0.18; bpost=0.14). There was a significant difference in NA recovery and paranoia recovery between the groups at lag 1: VR-CBT showed relatively lower negative affect (bpre=0.07; bpost=-0.06) and paranoia (bpre= 0.08; bpost=-0.10) at post-treatment compared to pre-treatment than WL (bpre=0.08; bpost=0.08; bpre=0.04; bpost=0.03). Negative affect and paranoia recovery improved in response to treatment. Increased NA reactivity may be explained by a decrease in safety behavior in the VR-CBT group. The discrepancy between reactivity and recovery findings may be explained by the inhibitory learning theory that suggests that an original threat reaction may not erase but can be inhibited as a consequence of exposure therapy.

Knowledge of HIV as an Important Rural Problem: A Descriptive Study of Priority Health Problems

Health as a complex problems requires prioritisation and identification of root causes to determine appropriate interventions. This study aimed to determine the priority health problems in Bonto Matene Village, Segeri District, Pangkajene and Islands Regency. Perform research using descriptive approaches. Univariate analysis was applied to determine the hierarchy of health concerns based on survey responses collected through standardized questionnaires conducted during interviews. The prioritization of health problems was carried out by utilizing Hanlon's qualitative method through focus group discussions. The Ishikawa diagram, also referred to as the fishbone diagram, was used to identify the root cause of a problem. The survey, which included 272 families and a total of 520 individuals, identified 14 health problems. The factors contributing to these issues encompass substandard waste management practices resulting in improper composting, occupational health disorders, occupational accidents, hypertension, insufficient COVID-19 vaccination doses (3), segregation of organic and non-organic waste, work-related injuries, ISPA (Influenza-like Illness), limited access to clean water, inadequate hand hygiene practices, smoking within the household, insufficient physical exercise, limited knowledge about HIV, and irregular consumption of TB medication. The primary health issue in Bonto Matene Village was a lack of knowledge about HIV. To address this, an intervention is developed to enhance HIV knowledge through direct education and various media platforms. The aim is to raise awareness and improve community understanding of HIV, while also promoting the adoption of safe and healthy behaviors in place of risky behaviors.

Applying the theory of planned behavior with optimistic bias to understand food safety behaviors of young and middle-aged highly educated Brazilian consumers

Foodborne diseases are commonly linked to food handled in household kitchens, and comprehension of consumers' food safety behaviors is essential for addressing this issue. This study evaluated young and middle-aged highly educated Brazilian consumers' intention to perform food safety behaviors while handling food at home, applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) extended version with optimistic bias (OB) as a new predictor. Nine hundred and eighteen young and middle-aged highly educated consumers from Brazil responded to an online questionnaire based on the TPB with the addition of OB. The extended version explained 27% of the variance in intention (adj. r2 = 0.27, p < 0.001), while results from the original TPB model showed 25% of the variance (adj. r2 = 0.25, p < 0.001). All predictors (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and OB) positively and significantly influenced behavioral intention. The extended version of the theory is a useful instrument for understanding consumers' intention to perform food safety behaviors. Moreover, Brazilian consumers’ beliefs should be considered in marketing and governmental campaigns to increase food safety.

DIGITAL FRAUD: WHAT STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT IT (EXPERIENCE IN CONDUCTING A FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEW)

The article, based on statistical data and sociological research from a focus group interview conducted among students, updates the problem of cyber fraud. The dynamics of stolen funds of Russians over five years, the level of awareness of students about cyber fraud, the types and forms of fraud schemes that informants have encountered are shown. The most common forms of fraud are deception associated with the transfer of money for a purchase/service on the Internet with or without priority links, phishing sites and hacking of a page (account), with the subsequent demand for money for its return. This may be due to the fact that young people are active users of social media (social networks, instant messengers, games, marketplaces, etc.) and most often use online shopping. Next come less popular forms of cyber fraud, such as “raising” funds for SVO participants, the “anti-cafe” scheme, and telephone calls under the “relative in need” scheme. A number of signs to identify a fraudster (assertiveness, aggressiveness in response to the desire to check information, commanding tone, top secrecy during a call, etc.) have been identified. The reasons and factors (internal and external) contributing to the deception of a potential victim have been established (low awareness, lack of experience in dealing with digital fraud schemes, personal qualities (excessive gullibility, pliability, fear of public condemnation, greed), the use of external factors (SVO), social technologies engineering by attackers). In the context of simulated situations of cyber fraud, algorithms for the safe behavior of potential victims were identified, and students proposed measures to prevent digital fraud.

Putting the Vicious Cycle to the Test: Evidence for the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Persistent Somatic Symptoms From an Online Study.

In clinical practice, persistent somatic symptoms are regularly explained using a cognitive-behavioral model (CBM). In the CBM, predisposing, perpetuating, and precipitating factors are assumed to interact and to cause the onset and endurance of somatic symptoms. However, these models are rarely investigated in their entirety. We conducted an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 2114 participants from the general German population completed questionnaires that measured different factors of the CBM. We used state negative affectivity and neuroticism as predisposing factors, fear of a COVID-19 infection as the precipitating factor, and somatic symptoms, misinterpretation of bodily symptoms, attention allocation to bodily symptoms, and health anxiety as perpetuating factors. Moreover, we added safety and avoidance behavior as end points to the model. We conducted a psychological network analysis to exploratively study the relationships between the model's different factors and tested the assumptions of the CBM by evaluating a structural equation model (SEM) that incorporated all factors of the model. Network analyses revealed clustering in our data: Health anxiety and different cognitive factors are closely related, whereas somatic symptoms and state negative affectivity are strongly associated. Our SEM showed adequate fit. Our findings from an exploratory and a confirmatory approach give empirical support for the CBM, suggesting it as a suitable model to explain bodily symptoms in the general population and to possibly guide clinical practice. The network model additionally indicates the necessity to apply an individualized CBM for patients, depending on a preponderance of either persistent somatic symptoms or health concerns.

Psychological Safety and Innovative Work Behavior: Does Socially Responsible Leadership Matter?

Purpose – The present study investigates the relationship between innovative work behavior (IWB) and socially responsible leadership (SRL). The role of psychological safety in this relationship is also further explored in this study.Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from Ugandan public universities for this study. For this study, 214 employees were invited to take part. The research hypotheses were evaluated using Processes Macro and Amos.Findings – SRL has been found to effectively improve followers' Innovative work behaviour using data from Ugandan public universities. Furthermore, the primary impact of SRL on IWB of staff in public universities is mediated by psychological safety.Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to look into the relationship between followers' IWB and SRL and the mediating role of psychological safety among employees. Secondly, by investigating the mediation of psychological safety, this study expands our knowledge that binds SRL to IWB. In conclusion, our study draws from data gathered in Uganda and may offer novel perspectives to the predominantly western literature currently in circulation.

Making Our Hospitals a Safe Workplace: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment at a Tertiary-Level Public Hospital in Eastern India.

Hospitals are complex places with a large number of employees, patients, furniture, equipment, etc. Healthcare workers (HCWs), patients, or the general public are vulnerable to injuries and illness due to unseen hazards at the workplace. This study aims to identify the hazards and assess the risks at a hospital to ensure safety for HCWs, patients, and the public and generate awareness about the same. It helps in reducing the financial obligation of the institution due to the treatment of illnesses of staff, absenteeism, and service disruption and slows down manpower turnover. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) helps reduce human errors and promote safe behavior. This study aims to identify and study the hazards in a hospital, assess the risks associated with the hazards, and recommend methods to reduce or eliminate the hazards based on the outcomes of the study. An observational study was conducted at a 1000-bed tertiary-level teaching public sector hospital in eastern India. A checklist was used for direct observation, conducting staff interviews, and document reviews. A risk scoring tool was used, and hazards were ranked as per the risk score. Thirty-eight hazards were identified in the study and classified under the categories of natural, physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychological, and safety. The fire risk and occurrence of cyclones had the highest risk scores. The study identified hazards through direct observations, record reviews, and staff interviews. These findings can guide the prioritization of areas requiring necessary action in risk reduction, ensuring a safe workplace for healthcare workers (HCWs), patients, and the public. They can also help the institution shift from a reactive approach to a proactive method for HCW safety.

Safety in context: routines and the effect of a balanced safety and operations focus on worker perceptions and performance

PurposeTo investigate the influence of logistics and transportation workers’ perceptions of their management’s simultaneous safety and operations focus (or lack thereof) on related worker safety and operational perceptions and behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThis multi-method research consisted of two studies. Study 1 aimed to establish correlational relationships by evaluating the impact of individual-level worker perceptions of operationally focused routines (as a moderator) on the relationship between worker perceptions of safety-related routines and workers’ self-reported safety and in-role operational behaviors using a survey. Study 2 aimed to establish causal relationships by evaluating the same conceptual relationships in a behavioral-type experiment utilizing vehicle simulators. After receiving one of four pre-task briefings, participants completed a driving task scenario in a driving simulator.FindingsIn Study 1, the relationship between perceived safety focus and safety behavior/in-role operational behavior was strengthened at higher levels of perceived operations focus. In Study 2, participants who received the balanced pre-task briefing committed significantly fewer safety violations than the other 3 treatment groups. However, in-role driving deviations were not impacted as hypothesized.Originality/valueThis research is conducted at the individual (worker) level of analysis to capture the little-known perspectives of logistics and transportation workers and explore the influence of balanced safety and operational routines from a more micro perspective, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of how balanced routines might influence worker behavior when conducting dynamic tasks to ensure safe, effective outcomes.

The anxiety response of patients with severe psychiatric disorders to the recent public health crisis

BackgroundThe devastating health, economic, and social consequences of COVID-19 may harm the already vulnerable groups, particularly people with severe psychiatric disorders (SPDs). The present study was conducted to investigate the anxiety response of patients with SPDs during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA total of 351 patients with SPDs [Schizophrenia Spectrum (SSD), Bipolar (BD), Major Depressive (MDD), and Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) Disorders] and healthy controls in Guilan province, Iran, throughout 2021–2022 were included in this cross-sectional analytical study. The anxiety response consisted of four concepts: COVID-19-related anxiety, general health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, and safety behaviors. We conducted an unstructured interview and provided sociodemographic and clinical information. Also, the participants were asked to complete four self-report measures of the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index–Revised, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, and the Checklist of Safety Behaviors.ResultsAnalysis of variance showed a significant difference between the groups of patients with SPDs and the control group in COVID-19-related anxiety (F = 6.92, p = 0.0001), health anxiety (F = 6.21, p = 0.0001), and safety behaviors (F = 2.52, p = 0.41). No significant difference was observed between them in anxiety sensitivity (F = 1.77, p = 0.134). The Games-Howell test showed that the control group obtained a higher mean than the groups of people with BD (p < 0.0001), SSD (p = 0.033), and OCD (p = 0.003) disorders in COVID-19-related anxiety. The patients with MDD (p = 0.014) and OCD (p = 0.01) had a higher mean score than the control group in health anxiety. Tukey’s test showed that the mean of safety behaviors of the control group was significantly higher than the OCD group (p = 0.21). No significant difference was found between the groups of patients with MDD, BD, SSD, and OCD in terms of COVID-19-related anxiety, health anxiety, and safety behaviors.ConclusionAnxiety response to health crisis is different in groups with SPDs and control group. The findings of this study suggest that although health anxiety is present in many of these patients during the pandemic, their anxiety response to the health crisis may be less than expected. There can be various explanations, such as pre-existing symptoms, low health literacy, and possible co-occurring cognitive impairment. The results of this study have many practical and policy implications in meeting the treatment needs of this group of patients during public health crises and indicate that their needs may not be compatible with the expectations and estimates that health professionals and policymakers already have.

The association between health literacy and pedestrian safety behavior among adults: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionPedestrians are considered the most vulnerable and complex road users as human behavior constitutes one of the fundamental reasons for traffic-related incidents involving pedestrians. However, the role of health literacy as a predictor of Pedestrian safety behavior remains underexplored. Therefore, the current study was designed to examine the level of health literacy and its association with the safety behavior of adult pedestrians in the city of Tabriz.MethodsThis cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among individuals aged 18 to 65 years in the metropolitan area of Tabriz from January to April 2023. Data were collected using the HELIA standard questionnaire (Health Literacy Instrument for adults), comprising 33 items across 5 domains (access, reading, understanding, appraisal, decision-making and behavior), as well as the Pedestrian Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) consisting of 29 items. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (independent t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient) via SPSS-22 software.ResultsBased on the results, 94% (376 individuals) had excellent health literacy levels, and their safety behavior scores were at a good level. Health literacy and safety behavior were higher among the age group of 31 to 45 years, women, married individuals, those who read books, and individuals with higher education. However, safety behavior showed no significant association with education level (P > 0.05). There was a significant and positive relationship between health literacy and all its domains and pedestrian safety behavior (r = 0.369, P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study underscores the significant impact of health literacy on pedestrians’ safety behavior. The findings reveal that higher levels of health literacy are associated with better safety behavior among individuals aged 18 to 63. Demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, and education level also play a role in shaping both health literacy and safety behavior. By recognizing these relationships, interventions can be tailored to improve health literacy levels and promote safer pedestrian practices, ultimately contributing to a healthier and safer community in Tabriz city.

A critical review of the feasibility of emerging technologies for improving safety behavior on construction sites

Introduction: Advancements in the modern construction industry have contributed to the development of a range of technology-based interventions to improve the safety behavior of front-line construction workers. Notwithstanding the extensive research on safety behavior, there is still a paucity of research on assessing technology interventions of safety behavior to provide an overview of their strengths and limitations. The present study aims to bridge this gap in the literature and identify the main trends of research. Method: A systematic review and critical content analysis are adopted to capture an overview of the state of knowledge on safety behavior technologies. As a result of searching Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases in the period from Jan 2010 to Feb 2023, a total of 359 potential studies went through the systematic screening process and finally, 48 representative studies were selected followed by an assessment of the feasibility and applicability of the safety behavior technologies. Results: It was found that safety behavior technology is characterized by seven technologies including virtual-reality simulation (T1), eye-tracking technology (T2), prediction modeling of safety behavior (T3), computer-based training (T4), drone/sensor-based hazard monitoring (T5), vision-based behavior monitoring (T6), and real-time positioning (T7). Conclusions: This research improves understanding of the status of safety behavior technologies and provides a critical review of their feasibility from the perspective of four assessment criteria including application, limitation, benefit, and feasibility. Practical applications: The categorizations of technologies add value to the body of knowledge in terms of generic requirements for their implementation and adaptation on construction sites.

Factors affecting safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists in northeastern Thailand

BackgroundPesticide poisoning is a major public health problem in Thailand and is the result of intensive inappropriate and unsafe use of pesticides. This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors affecting safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists in northeastern Thailand.MethodsThe study sample included 427 farm plant agriculturists in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. Individuals were randomly selected by a multistage random sampling technique. The following data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 8 parts: (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) knowledge about pesticide use, (3) perceived severity of impact from pesticide use among farm plant agriculturists, (4) perceived susceptibility to pesticide use, (5) perceived self-efficacy in the modification of safe pesticide-use behaviors, (6) perceived outcome of the modification of safe pesticide-use behaviors, (7) social support, and (8) safe pesticide-use behaviors. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and multiple regression analyses were employed for data analysis.ResultsThe majority of participants (79.4%) had high scores for safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists (scores of 112–150). Factors that significantly affected safe pesticide-use behaviors included knowledge about pesticide use (β = 0.282), social support (β = 0.217), reading information from pesticide labels before pesticide use (β = 0.207), perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.186), female sex (β = -0.140), rice farmer status (β = 0.129), corn farmer status (β = 0.127), perceived susceptibility (β = 0.126), having received information from the internet (β = -0.124), and perceived severity (β = -0.098). Together, these 10 factors were found to explain 32.5% of the safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that there is a need to increase the number of promotional activities related to the safe use of pesticides through social support and training, with the aim of increasing the overall level of knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and modification of the perceived impact severity of pesticide use. Thus, relevant agencies should promote and support the safe use of pesticides by farm plant agriculturists.SummaryThis study revealed that the factors affecting safe pesticide-use behaviors among farm plant agriculturists included knowledge about pesticide use, social support, reading pesticide container labels, perceived self-efficacy in the modification of pesticide-use behaviors, sex, rice farmer status, corn farmer status, perceived susceptibility to pesticide use, having received information from the internet, and perceived severity of impact from pesticide use.

Beliefs and behaviors associated with the first named heat wave in Seville Spain 2022

Heat waves pose a substantial and increasing risk to public health. Heat health early warning systems (HHEWSs) and response plans are increasingly being adopted to alert people to the health risks posed by days of extreme heat and recommend protective behaviors. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of HHEWSs remains limited. We examined the impact of heat wave naming on heat-related beliefs and behaviors to ascertain the potential effectiveness of heat wave naming as a heat health risk communication and management tool. Specifically, we surveyed members of the public exposed to the proMETEO Sevilla HHEWS messaging campaign which in the summer of 2022 applied a name to heat waves considered to pose the greatest risk to public health. During the heat season we evaluated, the proMETEO Sevilla HHEWS campaign applied a name to one heat wave, heat wave “Zoe”. Our analysis of the post-survey of 2022 adults indicated that the 6% of participants who recalled the name Zoe unaided reported greater engagement in heat wave safety behaviors and more positive beliefs about naming heat waves and their local governments’ heat wave response. These results provide initial evidence for potential utility in naming heat waves as part of HHEWSs and HAPs.