Carers' perceptions of harm and the protective measures taken to safeguard children's health against inhalation of volcanic ash: A comparative study across Indonesia, Japan and Mexico

Covey, J.; Dominelli, L.; Horwell, C.J.; Rachmawati, L.; Martin-del Pozzo, A.L.; Armienta, M.A.; Nugroho, F.; Ogawa, R.

Abstract

Volcanic ash contains potentially toxic elements which could affect human health. There is a paucity of research focusing on the impact of airborne volcanic emissions on the health of children, and on their exposure reduction. Children's carers (parents/guardians) are critical to their protection, so documenting their perceptions of the health risk and their knowledge of how to reduce their children's exposure is an important first step to increase our understanding of how risks are acted upon. This article reports the findings of a survey of 411 residents with caring responsibilities for children aged 12 and under in communities near the active volcanoes of Sakurajima in Japan, Merapi in Indonesia, and Popocatépetl in Mexico. Informed by the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), we investigated their perceptions of the health effects and harmful consequences of the ash on their children, how important they thought it was to protect them, and the protective actions taken. The Indonesian carers were the most concerned and motivated to protect their children, although, in all three countries, the large majority of carers had adopted protective measures that they perceived to be most effective, such as keeping windows and doors closed. Path analysis illustrated how the connection between perceptions of harm/worry and importance of protection could partially account for higher motivation levels to protect children, in the Indonesian carers. We discuss the key messages conveyed through the findings that are of relevance for policy, practice and training in all three countries.

Citation

Covey, J., Dominelli, L., Horwell, C., Rachmawati, L., Martin-del Pozzo, A., Armienta, M., …Ogawa, R. (2021). Carers' perceptions of harm and the protective measures taken to safeguard children's health against inhalation of volcanic ash: A comparative study across Indonesia, Japan and Mexico. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 59, Article 102194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102194

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 15, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Apr 19, 2021
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Apr 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 23, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
• Print ISSN: 2212-4209
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Article Number: 102194
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102194
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1249432