IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v21y2024i11p1479-d1515839.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Risks Associated with Children’s Walks to School in Blantyre, Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Bosco Chinkonda

    (Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre P.O. Box 360, Malawi)

  • Alejandra Piragauta

    (The George Institute for Global Health UK, London W12 7RZ, UK)

  • Dennis Mazingi

    (The George Institute for Global Health UK, London W12 7RZ, UK)

  • Linda Chokotho

    (Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre P.O. Box 360, Malawi
    Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Limbe P.O. Box 5196, Malawi)

  • Monica Nzanga

    (Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre P.O. Box 360, Malawi)

  • Steve Manyozo

    (Department of Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre P.O. Box 360, Malawi
    Posthumous.)

  • Prasanthi Puvanachandra

    (The George Institute for Global Health UK, London W12 7RZ, UK
    Imperial College London, School of Public Health, London W12 0BZ, UK)

  • Margaret Peden

    (The George Institute for Global Health UK, London W12 7RZ, UK
    Imperial College London, School of Public Health, London W12 0BZ, UK)

Abstract

(1) Background: This study explored the challenges faced by schoolchildren while commuting to school, particularly the hazards associated with poor road conditions, exposure to high-speed traffic, and traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). (2) Methods: The research focused on community perspectives gathered through four focus group discussions (FGDs) involving parents and teachers from two primary schools in Blantyre City. Employing qualitative analysis with NVivo, themes, sub-themes, and codes were developed collaboratively within the research team. (3) Results: The community identified road safety risks, emphasizing concerns about different actors’ risky behaviors, poor infrastructure (such as sidewalks, crossings, and signals), and personal safety issues. Proposed solutions for road safety involved educational initiatives for students, infrastructure enhancement, and enforcing stricter penalties. The study revealed a lack of awareness about air pollution among participants, which they often associated solely with unpleasant odors. Suggestions for addressing air pollution centered on educational interventions related to waste disposal and hygiene practices. (4) Conclusions: This research underscores the community’s adeptness at identifying road safety issues and proposing viable interventions. However, it highlights the need for enhanced education and awareness regarding air pollution. The paper advocates for community engagement to comprehensively address these challenges, fostering community cohesion, and empowering community members to advocate for change.

Suggested Citation

  • Bosco Chinkonda & Alejandra Piragauta & Dennis Mazingi & Linda Chokotho & Monica Nzanga & Steve Manyozo & Prasanthi Puvanachandra & Margaret Peden, 2024. "Parents’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of Risks Associated with Children’s Walks to School in Blantyre, Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:11:p:1479-:d:1515839
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/11/1479/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/11/1479/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. María Jesús Aranda-Balboa & Palma Chillón & Romina Gisele Saucedo-Araujo & Javier Molina-García & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado, 2021. "Children and Parental Barriers to Active Commuting to School: A Comparison Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Francisco Alonso & Adela Gonzalez-Marin & Cristina Esteban & Sergio A. Useche, 2020. "Behavioral Health at School: Do Three Competences in Road Safety Education Impact the Protective Road Behaviors of Spanish Children?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Maruyama Rentschler,Jun Erik & Leonova,Nadia, 2022. "Air Pollution and Poverty : PM2.5 Exposure in 211 Countries and Territories," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10005, The World Bank.
    4. Thaddaeus Egondi & Catherine Kyobutungi & Nawi Ng & Kanyiva Muindi & Samuel Oti & Steven Van de Vijver & Remare Ettarh & Joacim Rocklöv, 2013. "Community Perceptions of Air Pollution and Related Health Risks in Nairobi Slums," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Dorji Wangzom & Marcus White & Jeni Paay, 2023. "Perceived Safety Influencing Active Travel to School—A Built Environment Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Delan Devakumar & Zeshan Qureshi & Jenevieve Mannell & Manju Baruwal & Neha Sharma & Eva Rehfuess & Naomi M. Saville & Dharma S. Manandhar & David Osrin, 2018. "Women’s Ideas about the Health Effects of Household Air Pollution, Developed through Focus Group Discussions and Artwork in Southern Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-13, February.
    7. Francisco Alonso & Cristina Esteban & Sergio Useche & Natura Colomer, 2018. "Effect of Road Safety Education on Road Risky Behaviors of Spanish Children and Adolescents: Findings from a National Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Nicola Gartland & Halah E. Aljofi & Kimberly Dienes & Luke Aaron Munford & Anna L. Theakston & Martie van Tongeren, 2022. "The Effects of Traffic Air Pollution in and around Schools on Executive Function and Academic Performance in Children: A Rapid Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-20, January.
    9. Kim N. Dirks & Judith Y. T. Wang & Amirul Khan & Christopher Rushton, 2016. "Air Pollution Exposure in Relation to the Commute to School: A Bradford UK Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-10, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Saeed Esmaeli & Kayvan Aghabayk & Nirajan Shiwakoti, 2024. "Measuring the Effect of Built Environment on Students’ School Trip Method Using Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Francisco Alonso & Sergio A. Useche & Eliseo Valle & Cristina Esteban & Javier Gene-Morales, 2021. "Could Road Safety Education (RSE) Help Parents Protect Children? Examining Their Driving Crashes with Children on Board," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-13, March.
    3. Kefan Xie & Zimei Liu, 2019. "Factors Influencing Escalator-Related Incidents in China: A Systematic Analysis Using ISM-DEMATEL Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Vicente Joaquín Delgado-Fernández & María del Carmen Rey-Merchán & Antonio López-Arquillos & Sang D. Choi, 2022. "Occupational Traffic Accidents among Teachers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-9, April.
    5. María Jesús Aranda-Balboa & Francisco Javier Huertas-Delgado & Patricia Gálvez-Fernández & Romina Saucedo-Araujo & Daniel Molina-Soberanes & Pablo Campos-Garzón & Manuel Herrador-Colmenero & Amador Je, 2022. "The Effect of a School-Based Intervention on Children’s Cycling Knowledge, Mode of Commuting and Perceived Barriers: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
    6. Daxin Dong & Xiaowei Xu & Wen Xu & Junye Xie, 2019. "The Relationship Between the Actual Level of Air Pollution and Residents’ Concern about Air Pollution: Evidence from Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-18, November.
    7. Séverine Deguen & Manon Padilla & Cindy Padilla & Wahida Kihal-Talantikite, 2017. "Do Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics Influence Perceived Air Quality?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Ho Yeung Lam & Sisitha Jayasinghe & Kiran D. K. Ahuja & Andrew P. Hills, 2023. "Active School Commuting in School Children: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Research Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-20, October.
    9. Mehrdad Rafiepourgatabi & Alistair Woodward & Jennifer A. Salmond & Kim Natasha Dirks, 2021. "The Effect of Route Choice in Children’s Exposure to Ultrafine Particles Whilst Walking to School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, July.
    10. Mulugeta Tamire & Adamu Addissie & Susann Skovbjerg & Rune Andersson & Mona Lärstad, 2018. "Socio-Cultural Reasons and Community Perceptions Regarding Indoor Cooking Using Biomass Fuel and Traditional Stoves in Rural Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, September.
    11. Zang, Xuheng & Feng, Jiankang & Song, Mingyue, 2024. "The impact of air pollution on household vulnerability to poverty: An empirical study from household data in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1369-1383.
    12. Mingyu Hou & Jianchuan Cheng & Feng Xiao & Chenzhu Wang, 2021. "Distracted Behavior of Pedestrians While Crossing Street: A Case Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Wenshuo Dong & Renhua Chen & Xuelin Ba & Suling Zhu, 2023. "Trend Forecasting of Public Concern about Low Carbon Based on Comprehensive Baidu Index and Its Relationship with CO 2 Emissions: The Case of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, August.
    14. Yasser Amiour & E. O. D. Waygood & Pauline E. W. van den Berg, 2022. "Objective and Perceived Traffic Safety for Children: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic and Built Environment Characteristics Related to Safe Travel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-29, February.
    15. Francisco Alonso & Adela Gonzalez-Marin & Cristina Esteban & Sergio A. Useche, 2020. "Behavioral Health at School: Do Three Competences in Road Safety Education Impact the Protective Road Behaviors of Spanish Children?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    16. Jiaping Zhang & Xiaomei Gong, 2023. "How does environmental quality perception influence people's fertility intention? Evidence from China," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 272-296, June.
    17. Yulin Guo & Fengfeng Liu & Yuanan Lu & Zongfu Mao & Hanson Lu & Yanyan Wu & Yuanyuan Chu & Lichen Yu & Yisi Liu & Meng Ren & Na Li & Xi Chen & Hao Xiang, 2016. "Factors Affecting Parent’s Perception on Air Quality—From the Individual to the Community Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, May.
    18. Hans Orru & Henrik Olstrup & Annika Hagenbjörk & Steven Nordin & Kati Orru, 2022. "Exposures, Symptoms and Risk Perception among Office Workers in Relation to Nanoparticles in the Work Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    19. Rotaris, Lucia & Del Missier, Fabio & Scorrano, Mariangela, 2023. "Comparing children and parental preferences for active commuting to school. A focus on Italian middle-school students," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    20. Najmun Nahar & Zakaria Hossain & Sanjia Mahiuddin, 2023. "Assessment of the environmental perceptions, attitudes, and awareness of city dwellers regarding sustainable urban environmental management: a case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(8), pages 7503-7531, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:11:p:1479-:d:1515839. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.