Factors Predicting Heat Stroke Preventive Behaviors Among Ground Service Staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Abstract

Introduction Over the past decade, rising global temperatures and increasingly severe climate change have subjected outdoor workers to escalating heat exposure. Heat stroke represents the most critical heat-related illness and constitutes a medical emergency, arising from the failure of thermoregulatory, circulatory, and central nervous system functions. Without timely prevention or intervention, heat stroke can lead to serious complications and death. Thailand, as a tropical country, experiences high temperatures throughout most of the year, with summer temperatures often reaching levels that are hazardous to health. Outdoor workers are therefore at greater risk of heat-related illnesses compared to the general population. Ground service personnel at Suvarnabhumi Airport are particularly vulnerable, as their duties require prolonged work on aircraft aprons where heat is intensified by concrete surface reflection, engine exhaust, and strict operational time constraints. These conditions may limit opportunities for rest breaks, hydration, and self-monitoring of abnormal symptoms. This study aims to identify predictive factors for heat-stroke preventive behaviors among ground service personnel at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with the ultimate goal of informing the development of appropriate strategies and interventions to safeguard their health.

Objectives The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) To examine the levels of heat stroke preventive behaviors and individual perceptions (perceived susceptibility to heat stroke, perceived severity of heat stroke, perceived benefits of preventive behaviors, perceived barriers to preventive behaviors, and perceived self-efficacy in performing heat stroke prevention behaviors), support from related persons; organizational management for heat stroke prevention; and knowledge about heat stroke, and 2) To identify factors predicting heat stroke preventive behaviors among ground service personnel at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Design This study adopted a predictive correlational design, applying the Health Belief Model to investigate factors influencing heat stroke preventive behaviors among ground service personnel. Within this framework, three dimensions were examined, 1) individual perceptions, including perceived susceptibility to heat stroke, perceived severity of heat stroke, perceived benefits of preventive behaviors, perceived barriers to preventive behaviors, and perceived self-efficacy in performing such behaviors; 2) cues to action, specifically support from related persons and management for heat stroke prevention; 3) modifying factors, including knowledge about heat stroke.

Methodology The study sample consisted of 176 ground service personnel employed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan Province, who had been in their current positions for at least 6 months. Participants were selected using a two-stage random sampling with proportion. The research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire comprising seven parts: (1) personal information, (2) knowledge about heat stroke, (3) perceptions related to heat stroke, (4) perceived self-efficacy in performing heat stroke preventive behaviors, (5) support from related persons, (6) management for heat stroke prevention, and (7) heat stroke preventive behaviors. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and Stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Results The majority of the sample were male (87.50%), single (66.50%), and most frequently aged 35–39 years (25.57%). The highest proportion had completed upper secondary/ vocational education (34.10%). More than half had work experience as ground service personnel for 1–5 years (55.68%) and worked five days per week (58.00%). Regarding individual perceptions, perceived susceptibility to heat stroke, perceived severity of heat stroke, and perceived benefits of preventive behaviors were high, whereas perceived barriers to preventive behaviors and perceived self-efficacy in performing preventive behaviors were moderate. For cues to action, support from related persons was low, while management for heat stroke prevention was moderate. Knowledge about heat stroke, as a modifying factor, was at a good level. Heat stroke preventive behaviors among ground service personnel were found to be at a moderate level. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that significant predictors of heat stroke prevention behaviors included support from related persons (β = .429, p < .001), perceived self-efficacy in performing preventive behaviors (β = .216, p < .001), management for heat stroke prevention (β = .221, p < .001), and perceived barriers to preventive behaviors (β = -.163, p = .003). Together, these factors explained 51.1% of the variance in heat-stroke preventive behaviors among ground service personnel at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Adjusted R² = .511, p < .001).

Recommendation Executives, supervisors, occupational safety officers, and nurses can apply the findings of this study to promote heat stroke preventive behaviors by encouraging and supporting ground service personnel at the individual level, providing reminders regarding heat stroke prevention, and developing models or programs for prevention. These efforts should emphasize enhancing perceived self-efficacy and reducing perceived barriers to preventive behaviors among ground service personnel. At the policy level, organizational executives can use the results to develop policies, training curricula, alert systems, and workplace management strategies that systematically facilitate the practice of heat-stroke prevention behaviors among ground service personnel.