Health Promotion Model Insights on Determinants of Personal Protective Equipment Use in Occupational Settings

Aims: Occupational illnesses remain a pressing concern for workers exposed to hazardous materials in industrial settings. While personal protective equipment is a primary safeguard against such risks, its inconsistent utilization highlights critical gaps in understanding the determinants of personal protective equipment compliance. This study investigated personal and situational factors influencing personal protective equipment usage among employees handling organic solvents in three major industrial companies.

Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study of 340 workers employed the health promotion model as the theoretical framework to identify personal protective equipment utilization predictors. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, t-test, and two-level logistic regression.

Findings: Only 47.9% of workers regularly used face masks, while 67.4% wore gloves, signifying substantial non-compliance. Interpersonal factors, such as trust, mutual respect, and collegial relationships, among the health promotion model components, were significantly associated with personal protective equipment adherence. Additionally, organizational factors, including workplace policies and support systems, were strongly correlated with using protective gloves. These findings underscore the critical role of fostering interpersonal relationships and implementing robust organizational policies to promote compliance with personal protective equipment.

Conclusion: The health promotion model can be utilized to understand compliance with personal protective equipment in industrial settings.