HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS PREVENTION BEHAVIORS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND: DETERMINANTS BASED ON HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

Abstract

Global warming poses a major health threat, particularly through heat-related illnesses among vulnerable populations.  A cross-sectional analytical study was used to analyze the determinants of heat-related illness (HRI) prevention behaviors among older adults in southern Thailand to assist effective interventions for reducing heat-related morbidity and mortality.  A multistage cluster sampling was used to recruit functioning older adults (n = 280, Barthel ADL Index ≥12) residing in five provinces with the highest average temperatures in southern Thailand, namely Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Songkhla, and Surat Thani.  Data were collected between June and October using a structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model framework.  Results revealed that income, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, and cues to action were positively correlated with HRI prevention behavior (p-value <0.01), whereas age and perceived barriers were negatively correlated (r = -0.13 and -0.25, respectively).  Among 13 variables entered into a regression model, perceived self-efficacy, cues to action and perceived benefits were significantly associated with HRI prevention behaviors (p-value <0.001), explaining 47% of the variance.  Cues to action emerged as the strongest predictor.  These findings underscored the crucial role of psychological and motivational factors in shaping heat protection behaviors among older adults in high-temperature regions.  Strengthening self-efficacy, enhancing awareness of benefits and promoting cues to action can guide the development of targeted heat illness prevention programs to protect vulnerable older adult populations from escalating heat-related health risks in southern Thailand.