Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
117
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Bethesda O'Connell
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Community and Behavioral Health
Competition Type
Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
In the global surge of bottled water consumption, the U.S. leads due to a perceived superior taste and convenience. However, studies challenge this perception, revealing concerns about low fluoride and bacterial contaminants. Environmental and social impacts, such as plastic pollution and groundwater depletion, intensify worries. Despite successful environmental campaigns, bottled water usage persists in the U.S. A complex interplay of social, political, psychological, and economic factors shapes perceptions of water safety. Economic disparities may further amplify bottled water use in communities facing water contamination challenges. National data reveals associations between tap water use and income, with gender, age group, and race/ethnicity playing pivotal roles in shaping water consumption patterns. Household water insecurity and reduced voluntary water intake further impact attitudes towards bottled and tap water. Unremarkably, Appalachia, a region struggling with tap water quality dissatisfaction, has seen an upsurge in bottled water and tap water filtration system usage. However, there is a dearth of research on water quality and perception in Appalachia. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the factors influencing the use of bottled water in rural Appalachian communities, where water quality and access issues are pervasive. The research is part of a broader study conducted in Lee and Wise counties, Virginia, focusing on drinking water sources, quality, behaviors, and health outcomes. Data were gathered through surveys from participants applying for home repairs via the Appalachia Service Project. The survey was administered by researchers who filed in responses after ensuring study participants fully understood what was asked, to ensure replicability. A binomial logistic regression analysis was carried out using SPSS to assess the data. The primary and secondary bottled water use served as dependent variables, while the independent variables encompassed annual household income, respondent education level, marital status, proximity to healthcare facilities, affordability of healthcare, and the presence of children in the household. The results indicate that these predictors for primary and secondary bottled water use in rural Appalachia are not statistically significant based on the analyzed variables. The model's predictive accuracy was modest, suggesting the presence of unmeasured factors influencing bottled water consumption choices. Additionally, the study's sample size was limited, highlighting the need for more extensive research with a larger and more diverse sample. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into the complexities surrounding bottled water consumption in Appalachia. Partnering with the Appalachia Service Project has enabled community engagement in hard-to-reach rural areas, potentially facilitating the replication and scaling of the study. The data generated have practical applications for decision-making processes and lays the foundation for future, more comprehensive investigations.
Predictors of bottled water use in Appalachia
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
In the global surge of bottled water consumption, the U.S. leads due to a perceived superior taste and convenience. However, studies challenge this perception, revealing concerns about low fluoride and bacterial contaminants. Environmental and social impacts, such as plastic pollution and groundwater depletion, intensify worries. Despite successful environmental campaigns, bottled water usage persists in the U.S. A complex interplay of social, political, psychological, and economic factors shapes perceptions of water safety. Economic disparities may further amplify bottled water use in communities facing water contamination challenges. National data reveals associations between tap water use and income, with gender, age group, and race/ethnicity playing pivotal roles in shaping water consumption patterns. Household water insecurity and reduced voluntary water intake further impact attitudes towards bottled and tap water. Unremarkably, Appalachia, a region struggling with tap water quality dissatisfaction, has seen an upsurge in bottled water and tap water filtration system usage. However, there is a dearth of research on water quality and perception in Appalachia. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the factors influencing the use of bottled water in rural Appalachian communities, where water quality and access issues are pervasive. The research is part of a broader study conducted in Lee and Wise counties, Virginia, focusing on drinking water sources, quality, behaviors, and health outcomes. Data were gathered through surveys from participants applying for home repairs via the Appalachia Service Project. The survey was administered by researchers who filed in responses after ensuring study participants fully understood what was asked, to ensure replicability. A binomial logistic regression analysis was carried out using SPSS to assess the data. The primary and secondary bottled water use served as dependent variables, while the independent variables encompassed annual household income, respondent education level, marital status, proximity to healthcare facilities, affordability of healthcare, and the presence of children in the household. The results indicate that these predictors for primary and secondary bottled water use in rural Appalachia are not statistically significant based on the analyzed variables. The model's predictive accuracy was modest, suggesting the presence of unmeasured factors influencing bottled water consumption choices. Additionally, the study's sample size was limited, highlighting the need for more extensive research with a larger and more diverse sample. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into the complexities surrounding bottled water consumption in Appalachia. Partnering with the Appalachia Service Project has enabled community engagement in hard-to-reach rural areas, potentially facilitating the replication and scaling of the study. The data generated have practical applications for decision-making processes and lays the foundation for future, more comprehensive investigations.