Assessing Predictors of Self-Care Behavior and Practices to Mitigate Air Pollution: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Undergraduate Students in Rawalpindi, Pakistan : Practices to Mitigate Air Pollution

. Azka; Sadia Bibi; Farrah Pervaiz; Humaira Mehmood; Aimen Khizar; Sundas Gul; Laiba Naseem; Rameesa Liaqat; Fizza Liaqat

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v6i11.978

Authors

. Azka Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Sadia Bibi Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Farrah Pervaiz Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Humaira Mehmood Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Aimen Khizar Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Sundas Gul Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Laiba Naseem Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
Rameesa Liaqat Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Fizza Liaqat King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i11.978

Keywords:

Air Pollution, Self-Care Behavior, Health Belief Model, Personal Preventive Practices

Abstract

Air pollution constitutes a pressing worldwide public health issue, and Pakistan is the fourth most polluted country, where nearly 99% of its populace breathes in the air quality that exceeds the WHO criteria. Embracing WHO-endorsed strategies can help in extending life expectancy by five years. This investigation was designed to delve into the factors influencing self-care behaviors and practices regarding air pollution based on Health Belief Model among undergraduate students. Methods: A questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model was used to conduct a cross sectional study on undergraduate students from Rawalpindi, Pakistan about their self-care and protection practices against air pollution. The questionnaire had seven sections and was validated. Non-probability convenience sampling was used. SPSS 26, Spearman’s correlation, and linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: The study enrolled 292 university students, with 189 (64.7%) being male and 103 (35.3%) females, and a mean age of 21.07±1.896. Findings revealed that 22.6% of respondents exhibited satisfactory self-care behavior, while 77.4% exhibited suboptimal behavior. In terms of self-care preventive practices, 58.6% scored poorly, with only 41.4% demonstrating good practices. Conclusions: The study's outcomes demonstrated poor self-care and protection practices among the participants. Factors such as perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and cues to action significantly influenced preventive behaviors. Whereas, perceived susceptibility and barriers were found insignificant. These findings underscore a notable association between Health Belief Model constructs and students' adoption of preventive measures against air pollution.

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