The Relationship Between Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors in Silicosis Prevention Among Mill Stone Laborers in Muang District, Surin Province

Abstract

Background: Silicosis is an occupational disease found in stone-mill workers. Carelessand unaware workers will suffered from silicosis which resulted the serious health problems.
Objectives:1) to study health beliefs about Silicosis disease of stone-mill workers 2) to study health behaviors in silicosis prevention of stone-mill workers 3) to study the relationship between health beliefs and behaviors in silicosis prevention of stone-mill workers.
Method: A cross-sectional survey study. Sample was 166 stone-mill workers. Research tool was structural interviewing. The statistical analysis reported as frequencies, percentage, mean standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation and t-test.
Result: Most of stone-mill workers had moderate perception in health beliefs (70.5%). Perceived susceptibility and perceived severity was 66.3% while perceived Benefit-Barrier was 64.5%. Most of them (75.9%) also had moderate health behaviors in silicosis prevention. There was significant positive correlation at p<0.01 between health behaviors in silicosis prevention and the variables of the job description (r=.273). The level of health behaviors was statistically different (P<.001) between group of direct-dust-contact workers and indirect-dust-contact workers. These different also observed between groups of families with silicosis patient and those without silicosis patient (p=0.05).
Conclusion: Silicosis is an occupational disease which cannot be cured but ispreventable. Therefore, health personnel should provide knowledge for stone-mill workers who are responsible for stone milling, grinding and crushing fields for silicosis prevention.
Key words: Silicosis, Health Beliefs, Health Behaviors in Silicosis Prevention