Munene Abraham, Lockyer Jocelyn, Checkley Sylvia, Hall David C
Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
Environ Health Insights. 2020 Mar 11;14:1178630220910143. doi: 10.1177/1178630220910143. eCollection 2020.
Health problems can arise from consuming contaminated well water. Well water testing can help prevent negative health outcomes associated with consuming contaminated water. The aim of this study was to understand the factors influencing well owner decisions to conduct water testing through the theoretical lens of the Health Belief Model. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 well owners and used framework analysis to sort and analyse the data. The results demonstrated that well owners' perceived susceptibility to well water contamination was low, while the perceived severity of contamination, benefits of testing, and self-efficacy towards testing were high. Cues to action to promote testing focused on increasing well owner education and awareness through well stewardship programmes and reminders to test. Participants faced some barriers to water testing. Increasing education and awareness about well water contamination and water testing, while reducing logistical barriers to testing, may improve compliance with water testing.
饮用受污染的井水可能会引发健康问题。井水检测有助于预防因饮用受污染水而产生的负面健康后果。本研究的目的是通过健康信念模型这一理论视角，了解影响井水所有者进行水质检测决策的因素。我们对20位井水所有者进行了半结构化访谈，并使用框架分析法对数据进行分类和分析。结果表明，井水所有者认为井水受污染的易感性较低，而对污染严重性、检测益处以及检测自我效能感的认知较高。促进检测的行动线索集中在通过水井管理计划和检测提醒来提高井水所有者的教育水平和意识。参与者在水质检测方面面临一些障碍。提高对井水污染和水质检测的教育水平和意识，同时减少检测的后勤障碍，可能会提高对水质检测的依从性。
