Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/79348
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Type: Journal article
Title: Heat waves and climate change: applying the health belief model to identify predictors of risk perception and adaptive behaviours in Adelaide, Australia
Author: ., A.
Bi, P.
Williams, S.
Grant, J.
Walker, I.
Augoustinos, M.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2013; 10(6):2164-2184
Publisher: MDPI
Issue Date: 2013
ISSN: 1661-7827
1660-4601
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Derick A. Akompab, Peng Bi, Susan Williams, Janet Grant, Iain A. Walker and Martha Augoustinos
Abstract: Heat waves are considered a health risk and they are likely to increase in frequency, intensity and duration as a consequence of climate change. The effects of heat waves on human health could be reduced if individuals recognise the risks and adopt healthy behaviours during a heat wave. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of risk perception using a heat wave scenario and identify the constructs of the health belief model that could predict adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the summer of 2012 among a sample of persons aged between 30 to 69 years in Adelaide. Participants’ perceptions were assessed using the health belief model as a conceptual frame. Their knowledge about heat waves and adaptive behaviours during heat waves was also assessed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the predictors of risk perception to a heat wave scenario and adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Of the 267 participants, about half (50.9%) had a high risk perception to heat waves while 82.8% had good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. Multivariate models found that age was a significant predictor of risk perception. In addition, participants who were married (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07–0.62), who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17–0.94) and without a fan (OR = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11–0.79) were less likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. Those who were living with others (OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 1.19–6.90) were more likely to have a high risk perception to heat waves. On the other hand, participants with a high perceived benefit (OR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.00–4.58), a high “cues to action” (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 1.63–8.43), who had additional training or education after high school (OR = 2.65; 95% CI, 1.25–5.58) and who earned a gross annual household income of ≥$60,000 (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07–6.56) were more likely to have good adaptive behaviours during a heat wave. The health belief model could be useful to guide the design and implementation of interventions to promote adaptive behaviours during heat waves.
Keywords: Climate change
heat waves
health belief model
risk perception
adaptive behaviours
Australia
Rights: © 2013 MDPI AG (Basel, Switzerland)
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10062164
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10062164
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Environment Institute publications
Public Health publications

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