Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sex and the structure of risk perception among Japanese smokers.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a web-based survey was randomly conducted on 2,000 adults (age range, 20-50 years) for 5 days in March 2009. The survey was composed of 5 primary questions; age, sex, smoker or non-smoker, 14 items related to risk perception for seriousness and 10 items related to risk perception for possibility. Based on methods used in previous studies, factor analysis was conducted on the 14 risk-related items and factor analysis of the item scores were compared between sexes using the Mann-Whitney test.
Results: There were a total of 1,308 respondents (334 smokers, 974 non-smokers). Factor analysis was conducted for smokers, and the 14 risk-related items on the questionnaire were divided as follows: the first set of factors (SARS, BSE, bird flu, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis and exposure to radiation) and the second set of factors (electromagnetic waves, carcinogens in the atmosphere, genetically modified organisms, food additives, mercury in fish, second-hand smoke and residual pesticide). Factor analysis of the item scores in the second group was higher among women than among men. Factor analysis was also conducted separately for smokers of each sex, with items being divided into three sets for men and two sets for women.
Conclusion: In regards to smokers, the structure of risk perception differed between the sexes and the risk perception was higher among female smokers than among their male counterparts.
