HEALTH LITERACY AND BEHAVIOR TO PREVENT HEALTH IMPACTS FROM FINE PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) 2.5 MICRONS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM TEACHERS AT THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the of health literacy and evaluate environmental health behaviors of teachers at child development centers in preventing health effects of fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) on vulnerable preschool children. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations, were employed in the analysis. The study involved a sample group of 36 teachers from young child development centers, and the data collection period spanned from February 2023 to March 2023.

The results of the research found the child care teachers had a high level overall environmental health of health literacy, with an average score of 3.97. When examining each aspect, it was observed that child development center teachers exhibited the highest level of knowledge in accessing environmental health information, with an average score of 4.23. In terms of health literacy related to understanding information, data verification, and making environmental health decisions to protect health, child care teachers demonstrated high levels, with averages of 3.97, 3.85 and 3.86, respectively. However, the overall assessment of environmental health behavior among these teachers revealed a moderate level, with an average score of 3.39.

It was concluded that the child care teachers exhibit the highest level of environmental health of health literacy in the aspect of accessing information. Additionally, their understanding of data, and decision-making reflects a very knowledgeable level. The findings suggest a need for training programs to reinforce environmental health behavior among teachers in child care teachers at a moderate level.