Information Source and Media Channel Preference of Malaysian Consumers: A Perception Study on Lead-Based Household Paints Hazards

Abstract

The context in which consumers acquires a product related information has undergone dramatic transformation in recent years. There have been arguments that the product type, characteristics of the consumers, as well as the context, have an influence on search information and media channel preference. This argument has not been extended to a lead-based household paints which is a global public health concern. This study is intended to address this void by investigating a national representative estimation for information source and media channel preferences of consumers in Malaysia regarding lead-based household paint hazards. The awareness profile of the general public on the health and environmental hazards are due to the exposure of toxic to lead-based household paints was studied. The study was carried out on a conveniently recruited population of Malaysians residing in West Malaysia. A total of 657 valid responses were subjected to statistical analysis. The study highlights that the respondents were most likely to use the internet as a channel for gathering information about lead-based household paints. They were also likely to trust information from the environmental protection organizations about lead-based household paints hazards and issues, and are least likely to trust information from political parties about the subject matter