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Characterizing the Environmental Health Literacy and Sensemaking of Indoor Air Quality of Research Participants

Author

Listed:
  • Kathryn S. Tomsho

    (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Erin Polka

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Stacey Chacker

    (Health Resources in Action, Boston, MA 02116, USA)

  • David Queeley

    (Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Dorchester, MA 02124, USA)

  • Marty Alvarez

    (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Madeleine K. Scammell

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Karen M. Emmons

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Rima E. Rudd

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Gary Adamkiewicz

    (Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

Abstract

This study is based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants of an indoor air quality monitoring study. The purpose of the interviews was to capture participants’ perceptions of indoor air quality and engage them in a discussion of those factors that influenced their behavior. Interview study participants ( n = 20) noted the importance of family health concerns and their own sensory awareness of possible contaminants. They discussed their level of personal control over their home environment as well as their access to needed resources. This study is based on grounded theory and applies interpretivist epistemological methods. Study findings offer insights into how people perceive their home environment and what influences their decision making and action. Analyses indicate that perceived agency, risk perception, access to resources, and information all influenced participants’ sense of ability to take action as well as their interest in taking action. These insights serve to challenge some of the current work in environmental health literacy which tends to focus on and measure an individual’s knowledge or skills. Our analysis suggests that consideration be given to a number of factors that include perceived agency, access to resources, and the quality of information provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathryn S. Tomsho & Erin Polka & Stacey Chacker & David Queeley & Marty Alvarez & Madeleine K. Scammell & Karen M. Emmons & Rima E. Rudd & Gary Adamkiewicz, 2022. "Characterizing the Environmental Health Literacy and Sensemaking of Indoor Air Quality of Research Participants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2227-:d:750530
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nutbeam, Don, 2008. "The evolving concept of health literacy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2072-2078, December.
    2. Monica D. Ramirez-Andreotta & Julia Green Brody & Nathan Lothrop & Miranda Loh & Paloma I. Beamer & Phil Brown, 2016. "Improving Environmental Health Literacy and Justice through Environmental Exposure Results Communication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-27, July.
    3. Butterfield, P.G. & Hill, W. & Postma, J. & Butterfield, P.W. & Odom-Maryon, T., 2011. "Effectiveness of a household environmental health intervention delivered by rural public health nurses," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 262-270.
    4. Kathleen M. Gray, 2018. "From Content Knowledge to Community Change: A Review of Representations of Environmental Health Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marina Almeida-Silva & Ana Monteiro & Ana Rita Carvalho & Ana Marta Teixeira & Jéssica Moreira & David Tavares & Maria Teresa Tomás & Andreia Coelho & Vítor Manteigas, 2022. "Sustainable and Active Program—Development and Application of SAVING Methodology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, June.

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