School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2021 Jul;32(3):383-390. doi: 10.1002/hpja.381. Epub 2020 Jul 22.
There is increasing evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is related to childhood respiratory symptoms. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an anti-idling behavioural intervention targeting parents at primary schools.
Based on two focus group discussions with parents, a low-intensity 4-week anti-idling intervention was developed, comprising onsite signage, four newsletters, and two fact sheets. Exposure to selected air pollutants was assessed during pick-up and drop-off times pre- and postintervention at 12 randomly selected independent schools (10 intervention and 2 control) across the Perth metropolitan area.
The study results showed that a low-intensity behavioural intervention can be an effective strategy to affect parents' attitude towards vehicle idling. This was demonstrated by the reduced number of idling vehicles observed in 8 of the 10 intervention schools and decreased overall particulate matter concentration after the anti-idling intervention.
Anti-idling education can be effective in promoting clean travel behaviours and has potential health benefits for school children. SO WHAT?: This intervention study provides insights on the significant effect of anti-idling education on parents' behaviour towards air quality and children's health. These promising findings warrant further rigorous actions on anti-idling education and enforcement.
有越来越多的证据表明，接触交通相关的空气污染与儿童呼吸道症状有关。本研究证明了针对小学家长的反怠速行为干预的有效性。
基于与家长的两次焦点小组讨论，制定了一个为期四周的低强度反怠速干预措施，包括现场标志、四封时事通讯和两份情况说明书。在珀斯大都市区的 12 所独立学校（10 所干预学校和 2 所对照学校）的上下学时间点进行了预干预和后干预期间的选定空气污染物暴露评估。
研究结果表明，低强度的行为干预可以成为影响家长对车辆怠速态度的有效策略。这一点可以从 10 所干预学校中有 8 所观察到怠速车辆数量减少，以及反怠速干预后总颗粒物浓度降低得到证明。
反怠速教育可以有效地促进清洁出行行为，并为学童的健康带来潜在的益处。那么，这意味着什么呢？这项干预研究提供了关于反怠速教育对家长的空气质量和儿童健康行为的显著影响的见解。这些有前途的发现值得进一步采取严格的反怠速教育和执行措施。
