Related Factors of Using Hearing Protection Device Based on the Protection Motivation Theory in Shoga Factory Workers



Arabtali B¹ ; Solhi M² ; Shojaeezadeh D³ ; Gohary M⁴ Show Affiliations
Source: Iran Occupational Health Published:2015

Abstract

Background and aims: The aim of this study was to determine factors related to workers' use of hearing protection devices in Shoga factory in Yaft Abad, based on protection motivation theory. Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 60 workers who were exposed to harmful noise were selected among factory shifts by randomized sampling method. The questionnaire included 6 demographic questions, 8 knowledge questions, 20 perceptions questions, 2 behavior questions, and 7 improvement questions. The questionnaire validity confirmed using content validity and its reliability was checked using test-retest & Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed through SPSS v.15 software using descriptive statistics and analytical tests. Results: About 40.4% of the workers used the hearing protection device most of the time, and 44.4% used it usually. There were significant positive correlations between perceived vulnerability score with self-efficacy score (r=0.41, p=0.001), perceived response efficacy score (r=0.44, p=0.03) and protection motivation score (r=0.5, p=0.002). There were significant positive correlations between perceived response efficacy score with evaluation of coping score (r=0.34, p=0.01) and protection motivation score with behavior score (r=0.56, p=0.03). There was significant negative correlation between perceived cost with evaluation of coping score (r=-0.84, p=0.002). Conclusion: The use of hearing protection in the workers is not adequate. For improvement of situation effective interventions based on protection motivation theory which improves perceptions of severity, vulnerability, perceived cost, self-efficacy and perceived response efficacy is recommended. © 2015, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. All rights reserved.