Risk Perceptions of Environmental Hazards and Human Reproduction: A Community-Based Survey

Shepherd, Ashley; Jepson, Ruth; Watterson, Andrew; Evans, Josie

doi:10.5402/2012/748080

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(22 reference statements)

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“…EU-wide surveys (7,8) indicate that people across Europe are still concerned about the potential adverse health impact of RF EMF exposure from cell phones and base stations. Similar concerns are reported from Australia, (9) Taiwan, (10) and New Zealand. (11) In other parts of the world, for example, the United States, RF EMF is debated too, but is not a core concern.…”

Section: The Emf Issuesupporting

confidence: 81%

When Precaution Creates Misunderstandings: The Unintended Effects of Precautionary Information on Perceived Risks, the EMF Case

et al. 2013

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In the past decade, growing public concern about novel technologies with uncertain potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health has moved risk policies toward a more precautionary approach. Focusing on mobile telephony, the effects of precautionary information on risk perception were analyzed. A pooled multinational experimental study based on a 5 × 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted in nine countries. The first factor refers to whether or not information on different types of precautionary measures was present, the second factor to the framing of the precautionary information, and the third factor to the order in which cell phones and base stations were rated by the study participants. The data analysis on the country level indicates different effects. The main hypothesis that informing about precautionary measures results in increased risk perceptions found only partial support in the data. The effects are weaker, both in terms of the effect size and the frequency of significant effects, across the various precautionary information formats used in the experiment. Nevertheless, our findings do not support the assumption that informing people about implemented precautionary measures will decrease public concerns.

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Section: The Emf Issuesupporting

confidence: 81%

When Precaution Creates Misunderstandings: The Unintended Effects of Precautionary Information on Perceived Risks, the EMF Case

et al. 2013

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“…Generally, age is an important factor for vulnerability to heat waves since those who are older are known to be at risk during a heat wave [52]. A study conducted to examine the Australian public’s perceived risks on a number of environmental hazards found that older participants had a high risk perception [30]. Nonetheless, contrasting findings between age and risk perception to environmental hazards has been reported in another study [53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, age has been found to be positively correlated with risk perception to hazards [28], although negative correlations have also been reported [29]. Gender is often found to be an important determinant of risk perception as women perceive risks more than men [30]. In addition, individuals with a high income and education level have been found to have a lower perception of risks [31,32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat Waves and Climate Change: Applying the Health Belief Model to Identify Predictors of Risk Perception and Adaptive Behaviours in Adelaide, Australia

Akompab

Williams

et al. 2013

IJERPH

144

140

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Heat waves are considered a health risk and they are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and duration as a consequence of climate change. The effects of heat waves on human health could be reduced if individuals recognise the risks and adopt healthy behaviours during a heat wave. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of risk perception using a heat wave scenario and identify the constructs of the health belief model that could predict adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the summer of 2012 among a sample of persons aged between 30 to 69 years in Adelaide. Participants’ perceptions were assessed using the health belief model as a conceptual frame. Their knowledge about heat waves and adaptive behaviours during heat waves was also assessed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of risk perception to a heat wave scenario and adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Of the 267 participants, about half (50.9%) had a high risk perception to heat waves while 82.8% had good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Multivariate models found that age was a significant predictor of risk perception. In addition, participants who were married (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.62), who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17–0.94) and without a fan (OR = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11–0.79) were less likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. Those who were living with others (OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 1.19–6.90) were more likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. On the other hand, participants with a high perceived benefit (OR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.00–4.58), a high “cues to action” (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 1.63–8.43), who had additional training or education after high school (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.25–5.58) and who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07–6.56) were more likely to have good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. The health belief model could be useful to guide the design and implementation of interventions to promote adaptive behaviours during heat waves.

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“…Risk perceptions associated with environmental hazards have largely explored technologies, reproductive health, and socioeconomic and racial differences in hazard exposures [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Findings from these studies demonstrate that perceived environmental health risks vary by SES, sex, race/ethnicity, and hazard experiences [25,27,31]. For instance, women compared to men and Blacks compared to Whites tend to perceive greater risk from environmental hazards such as pollution (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Perceived risk is defined as an intuitive estimation of risk [21] or ''people's beliefs, attitudes, judgments and feelings, as well as, the wider social or cultural values and dispositions that people adopt, towards hazards and their benefits'' [22]. Risk perceptions associated with environmental hazards have largely explored technologies, reproductive health, and socioeconomic and racial differences in hazard exposures [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Findings from these studies demonstrate that perceived environmental health risks vary by SES, sex, race/ethnicity, and hazard experiences [25,27,31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Perceptions of Cancer Risk, Neighborhood Environmental Risks, and Health Behaviors of Blacks

et al. 2014

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Cancer risk perceptions and cancer worry are shaped by race/ethnicity, and social, economic, and environmental factors, which in turn shape health decision-making. A paucity of studies has explored risk perceptions and worry in metropolitan areas with disparate environmental conditions and cancer outcomes. This study examined perceptions of cancer risk, neighborhood environmental health risks, and risk-reducing health behaviors among Blacks. A 59-item survey was administered to respondents in Metropolitan Charleston, South Carolina from March to September 2013. A convenience sample of males and females was recruited at local venues and community events. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses (Chi square tests), and logistic regression models were estimated using SAS 9.3 software. Respondents (N = 405) were 100% Black, 81% female (n = 323), and ranged from 18 to 87 years of age (M = 49.55, SD = 15.27). Most respondents reported lower perceptions of cancer risk (37%) and equated their cancer beliefs to direct or indirect (i.e. personal or family) experiences. Low perceived cancer risk (absolute risk) was significantly associated (p < .05) with non-alcohol consumption, having a colon cancer screening test, being female, and being age 25-44 or 45-64. Cancer worry was significantly associated (p < .05) with being a current smoker, having a "fair" diet, non-alcohol consumption, and having any colon cancer screening test. Perceived cancer risk is an important indicator of health behaviors among Blacks. Direct or indirect experiences with cancer and/or the environment and awareness of family history of cancer may explain cancer risk perceptions.

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Risk Perceptions of Environmental Hazards and Human Reproduction: A Community-Based Survey

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

When Precaution Creates Misunderstandings: The Unintended Effects of Precautionary Information on Perceived Risks, the EMF Case

When Precaution Creates Misunderstandings: The Unintended Effects of Precautionary Information on Perceived Risks, the EMF Case

Heat Waves and Climate Change: Applying the Health Belief Model to Identify Predictors of Risk Perception and Adaptive Behaviours in Adelaide, Australia

Exploring Perceptions of Cancer Risk, Neighborhood Environmental Risks, and Health Behaviors of Blacks

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