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Development of the Farm Safety and Health Beliefs Scale
Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org
Citation: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health. 5(4): 395-406 . @1999
Authors: C. J. Hodne, K. Thu, K. J. Donham, D. Watson, N. Roy
Keywords: Attitudes, Measurement instrument, Farm safety, Health beliefs
Farmers’ safety and health beliefs are measured by the new 24-item Farm Safety and
Health Beliefs Scale (FSHBS), derived from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and
tested among Iowa farmers (n = 259) involved in the Certified Safe Farms (CSF)
project. A factor analysis of responses to 39 original FSHBS items revealed five HBM-related
factors: (1) susceptibility to a farm-related accident/illness; (2) benefits of
performing safety and health behaviors; (3) barriers to performing these behaviors; (4)
self-efficacy regarding performing these behaviors; and (5) severity/finances regarding
the consequences of an accident/illness. Farmers who feel more able to perform
behaviors that promote their overall health report greater abilities and benefits in
practicing proper farm safety and health behaviors. These farmers also feel less
vulnerable to farm-related accidents and illnesses. Limitations are discussed, along with
implications for educational and clinical interventions.