Authors : Balachandar S. Sayapathi, Anselm Ting Su and David Koh
Abstract: There has been a global increase in prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of this study is to explore mean score levels on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding noise-induced hearing loss among participants of the two factories and also to determine the frequency of distribution of health education. In this intervention study, there were 203 participants from the two factories in the automobile industry. The sample size required was 23 in each factory. A questionnaire about knowledge, attitude and practice regarding noise-induced hearing loss questionnaires was distributed among the participants. The revealed that there were no differences in mean scores on knowledge, belief, feelings, judgment and practice among participants from the two factories. However, the health education intervention elicited statistically significant changes in mean score of knowledge over time, F (1.44, 289.45) = 13.54, p<0.001, partial η2 = 0.063; mean score of belief subdomain (attitude) over time, F (1.71, 344.17) = 7.78, p = 0.001, partial η2 = 0.037 and mean score of practice over time, F (1.49, 300.16) = 9.46, p<0.001, partial η2 = 0.045, the mean score levels reduced over 6 months compared to the 1st month. This study concludes there were no differences among participants from the two factories on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding noise-induced hearing loss. Regular employee health education at least 6 monthly is required in a hearing conservation program.
Balachandar S. Sayapathi, Anselm Ting Su and David Koh, 2014. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice in Relation to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Two Factories. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 9: 197-204.