Do smog advisories work? Results of an evaluation of the Canadian Smog Advisory Program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of the Canadian Smog Advisory Program.


METHODS
Telephone interviews covering perceptions, knowledge, recall of and response to advisories, and general views on their usefulness and effectiveness were conducted with 1,474 randomly selected individuals in four geographic areas. Multiple logistic regression was used to model advisory recall as a function of explanatory variables.


RESULTS
Recall of advisories was higher (72%; 95% CI 68-77%) when measured immediately following an advisory in southern New Brunswick. Recall was lower when measured at the end of the smog "season", and varied significantly between Toronto (46%; 42-51%), Haldimand-Norfolk (18%; 14-24%) and Vancouver (61%; 56-65%). Education and geographic area (urban versus rural) were the strongest explanatory variables in two final multiple logistic regression models. A minority of those who recalled an advisory reported taking action.


CONCLUSIONS
Smog advisories were partially successful in generating awareness, but only marginally effective in promoting action.
Stieb
D M
DM
Air Quality Health Effects Research Section, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON.
Paola
J
J
Neuman
K
K
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D004782:Environmental Health; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012905:Smog / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D012905:Smog