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The Link between Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Relation to Atmospheric Haze Pollution in Peninsular Malaysia

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  • Laura De Pretto
  • Stephen Acreman
  • Matthew J Ashfold
  • Suresh K Mohankumar
  • Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz

Abstract

Transboundary haze episodes caused by seasonal forest fires have become a recurrent phenomenon in Southeast Asia, with serious environmental, economic, and public health implications. Here we present a cross-sectional survey conducted among people in Kuala Lumpur and surrounds to assess the links between knowledge, attitudes, and practices in relation to the transboundary haze episodes. Of 305 respondents, 125 were amateur athletes participating in a duathlon event and the remainder were surveyed in an inner-city shopping mall. Across the whole sample, people who possessed more factual information about the haze phenomenon showed significantly higher levels of concern. Duathletes were more knowledgeable than non-duathletes and also more concerned about the negative effects of haze, especially on health. For all people who regularly practice outdoor sports (including people interviewed at the shopping mall), higher levels of knowledge and concerned attitudes translated into a greater likelihood of engaging in protective practices, such as cancelling their outdoor training sessions, while those with greater knowledge were more likely to check the relevant air pollution index on a daily basis. Our results indicate that the provision of accurate and timely information about air quality to residents will translate into beneficial practices, at least among particularly exposed individuals, such as amateur athletes who regularly practice outdoor sports.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura De Pretto & Stephen Acreman & Matthew J Ashfold & Suresh K Mohankumar & Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, 2015. "The Link between Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Relation to Atmospheric Haze Pollution in Peninsular Malaysia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0143655
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143655
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nur Fariha Syaqina Zulkepli & Mohd Salmi Md Noorani & Fatimah Abdul Razak & Munira Ismail & Mohd Almie Alias, 2020. "Cluster Analysis of Haze Episodes Based on Topological Features," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Yunn Shin Jocelyne Chin & Laura De Pretto & Vivek Thuppil & Matthew J Ashfold, 2019. "Public awareness and support for environmental protection—A focus on air pollution in peninsular Malaysia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Dianyuan Ma & Hui Sun & Xuechao Xia & Yan Zhao, 2022. "The Impact of Government and Public Dual-Subject Environmental Concerns on Urban Haze Pollution: An Empirical Research on 279 Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Ka Ker Coco Chin & Janardan Mahanta & Tapan Kumar Nath, 2023. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Plastic Pollution among Malaysians: Implications for Minimizing Plastic Use and Pollution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-13, January.
    5. Soomro, Yasir Ali, 2018. "Does subliminal advertisement affect consumer behavior? An exploratory comparative analysis between marketing and non-marketing professionals," MPRA Paper 92124, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Ogonna N O Nwankwo & Ndubuisi Mokogwu & Orighomisan Agboghoroma & Fahmi O Ahmed & Kevin Mortimer, 2018. "Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about the health hazards of biomass smoke exposure amongst commercial food vendors in Nigeria," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, January.
    7. Lilin Xiong & Jie Li & Ting Xia & Xinyue Hu & Yan Wang & Maonan Sun & Meng Tang, 2018. "Risk Reduction Behaviors Regarding PM 2.5 Exposure among Outdoor Exercisers in the Nanjing Metropolitan Area, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-13, August.

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