Characterizing the Environmental Health Literacy and Sensemaking of Indoor Air Quality of Research Participants

Abstract

This study is based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants of an indoor air quality monitoring study. The purpose of the interviews was to capture participants’ perceptions of indoor air quality and engage them in a discussion of those factors that influenced their behavior. Interview study participants (n = 20) noted the importance of family health concerns and their own sensory awareness of possible contaminants. They discussed their level of personal control over their home environment as well as their access to needed resources. This study is based on grounded theory and applies interpretivist epistemological methods. Study findings offer insights into how people perceive their home environment and what influences their decision making and action. Analyses indicate that perceived agency, risk perception, access to resources, and information all influenced participants’ sense of ability to take action as well as their interest in taking action. These insights serve to challenge some of the current work in environmental health literacy which tends to focus on and measure an individual’s knowledge or skills. Our analysis suggests that consideration be given to a number of factors that include perceived agency, access to resources, and the quality of information provided.

A process for creating data report-back tools to improve equity in environmental health

“…The first ten interviews were performed within the participants’ homes, and the final ten were performed over the phone due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 38 ]. Each interview was approximately an hour, and covered topics included typical in-home behaviors and products, perceptions of indoor air quality in the home, prior experience with scientific and medical materials, and input specifically regarding the creation of the report-back materials for this study.…”

“…Interviews were transcribed by the first author and then entered into NVivo 12 Pro. Our full qualitative analysis of the semi-structured interviews is described elsewhere [ 38 ]. Briefly, this analysis implemented the three step approach of grounded theory: open, axial, and selective thematic coding [ 38 ].…”

“…Our full qualitative analysis of the semi-structured interviews is described elsewhere [ 38 ]. Briefly, this analysis implemented the three step approach of grounded theory: open, axial, and selective thematic coding [ 38 ]. We examined the confirmability, transferability, and credibility of the data as means of establishing rigor and trustworthiness in our qualitative analysis [ 38 , 39 ].…”

“…Briefly, this analysis implemented the three step approach of grounded theory: open, axial, and selective thematic coding [ 38 ]. We examined the confirmability, transferability, and credibility of the data as means of establishing rigor and trustworthiness in our qualitative analysis [ 38 , 39 ]. Detailed memos were kept from each interview, and throughout the qualitative analysis process.…”

Sustainable and Active Program—Development and Application of SAVING Methodology

“…The evaluation was carried out considering the last year of elderly care center energy consumption. Environmental quality: Environmental air quality contributes to raising awareness of the importance of a healthy indoor environment to improve quality of life [ 24 ] and to avoid the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms [ 25 ]. Indoor air quality is directly affected by indoor occupancy, activity, equipment, materials, and outdoor air quality [ 26 , 27 ].…”