Development and Application of Environmental Quality
of Life Scale Among People Residing Near Three Types
of Industrial Areas, Southern Thailand
Jirawan Sopsuk • Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong • Vorasith Sornsrivichai •
Supat Hasuwanakit
Accepted: 6 November 2011 / Published online: 30 November 2011
Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011
Abstract To compare QOL among rural people living in three different industrial areas
and one non-industrial area in southern Thailand. A questionnaire based on the WHOQOLBREF
with environmental assessment was initially developed. After consultation with
experts and pilot study, it was tested to check internal reliability and further modified as
necessary. The final version was then used to survey residents of three rural areas close to
organic industries, a gas refinery, and an electricity power plant and residents from a nonindustrial
area. The developed scale has acceptable reliability coefficient (0.76). The
overall QOL scores among those living in all study areas were high (mean[3.75 out of
5). Only environmental QOL domain was slightly low (mean = 3.7) among these living
close to the gas refinery area where people were distinctively disturbed by various types of
pollution. Unpleasant odours were reported by residents living close to the power plant and
areas of organic industries. After adjustment for age, education, income level and marital
status, the residents of industrial areas were more than two times likely to have an unfavorable
QOL. The level of pollution in the study industrial area should be reduced.
Keywords Quality of life WHOQOL-BREF Environmental health
Environmental pollution Industry Thailand
Abbreviations
QOL Quality of life
WHOQOL-BREF The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF