FACTORS AFFECTING SAFETY PROTECTIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG PUBLIC BUS PASSENGERS IN MUEANG DISTRICT, CHONBURI PROVINCE

Abstract

          Nowadays, the majority of individuals make frequent use of public transit. Thus, it is essential to spread knowledge about personal safety protection. This cross-sectional research aimed to identify factors affecting health and safety protective behavior among public bus passengers in Mueang district, Chonburi province. We collected data by using a questionnaire in 98 participants and analyzed data using multiple regression statistics. The results showed that the majority of the participant were female, average age 26 years, bachelor's degree level or higher, income 5,000-10,000 baths. Most of them had a moderate level of knowledge about using public transportation (57%) (  = 7.38±1.62)  and had a high level of incident risk perception (~95%) (  = 87.48±7.02)  and had a moderate level of protective behavior of public bus passengers (~50%)(  = 36.89±4.63). The results of the multiple regression analysis found that gender, frequency of using public bus services, perception of the likelihood of an incident occurring were all factors affecting the health and safety protective behavior of public bus passengers. When considering the regression coefficients, the frequency of using public bus services was the factor that had the most power to predict behavior with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The government or related agencies should campaign to provide knowledge and correct awareness about the safety law and regulations for using public buses among the general population.