The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68874

Lynn Ott, MS, Department of Health Education, American River College, 4700 College Oak Drive, Sacramento, CA 95841, 916-484-8516, ottl@arc.losrios.edu and Robin Rager, PhD, Department of Health Studies, Texas Woman's University, P.O. Box 425499, Denton, TX 76204.

In 1999, approximately 184.5 million U.S. residents lived in areas with unhealthful ground-level ozone (O₃) levels. Motor vehicle exhaust is responsible for 49% of NOx emissions, a precursor to O₃ formation. Reduction of auto emissions will be necessary in order to attain healthful O₃ levels. Part of the solution will involve increased usage of alternative transportation. This study used a self-report survey, developed by the researchers, which utilized Prochaska’s Stage-of-Change Theory and the Health Belief Model to assess stage-of-change status, barriers, incentives, and air pollution beliefs concerning usage of walking, bicycling, carpooling, and public transit for commuting purposes. Content validity and test-retest reliability were established. The survey was administered to 103 male and 99 female college students, ages 18-65. Chi-square analysis revealed that most of the respondents were in the precontemplation stage for usage of each alternative transportation mode. Carpooling had the highest percentage of participants in the advanced stages of change (preparation, action, or maintenance). Ordinal regression analysis revealed that low income, the incentive of saving money on transportation costs, and the belief that air pollution will affect future health were significant predictors of advanced stage-of-change status for using alternative transportation. The participants in this section will be able to: 1. Identify adverse health effects and populations at risk from chronic O₃ exposure. 2. Identify the largest contributor to O₃ formation. 3. Articulate barriers and incentives for alternative transportation usage. 4. Discuss the role of behavior change theory in programs aimed at increasing utilization of alternative transportation.

Learning Objectives:

In 1999, approximately 184.5 million U.S. residents lived in areas with unhealthful ground-level ozone levels. Motor vehicle exhaust is responsible for 49% of NOx emissions, a precursor to ozone formation. Reduction of auto emissions will be necessary in order to attain healthful ozone levels. Part of the solution will involve increased usage of alternative transportation. This study used a self-report survey, developed by the researchers, which utilized Prochaska’s Stage-of-Change Theory, and the Health Belief Model, to assess stage-of-change status, barriers, and incentives for usage of walking, bicycling, carpooling, and public transit for commuting purposes, and to determine health beliefs regarding ozone air pollution. Content validity and test-retest reliability was established. The survey was administered to 103 male and 99 female college students, ages 18-6
• Chi-square analysis revealed the majority of participants were in the precontemplaton stage for usage of each alternative transportation method. Carpooling had the highest percent of participants in the advanced stages of planning, action and maintenance. Ordinal regression analysis revealed that low income, saving money on transportation costs, and the belief that air pollution will affect future health were significant predictors of advanced stage-of-change status. Learning objectives: 1. List four adverse health effects resulting from chronic ozone exposure. 2. Identify populations at greatest risk. 3. Identify motor vehicle exhaust as the largest contributor to ozone formation. 4. Articulate barriers and incentives for alternative transportation usage 5. Discuss the role of behavior change theory in guiding program development aimed at increasing utilization of alternative transportation.

Keywords: Air Quality, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.