Effectiveness on Perceived Threat to Self-Protection Behaviors from Lead Exposure among Fishing Net Sinker Workers, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research was to study effectiveness on perceived threat to self-protection behaviors from lead exposure among fishing net sinker workers, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. It was conducted during October 2016 to January 2017. The subjects were 30 workers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province selected by simple random sampling. They received a threat perception program, and their awareness on lead exposure and self protection behaviour were assessed using questionnaires both before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed by paired t-test. The results revealed that the subjects had increased awareness on the risk and severity; and the mean score was significantly higher after the inter-vention (mean=83.93, SD=7.78) when compared to that before the intervention (mean=71.80, SD=7.67) (p<0.001). As well, the score on self-protection behavior was found to be significantly higher after the intervention (the mean=29.93, SD=2.33 versus the mean=24.77, SD=3.82) (p<0.001). Thus, this study recommended that responsible governmental sector should conduct regular surveillance on lead exposure among the fishing net sinker workers and implement the awareness program as well as scale-up the approaches to cover the risk populations in other geographic areas.