Abstract
Despite public health measures and health-promotion efforts, the decline in tuberculosis (TB) morbidity in Japan has been slow, with a higher TB incidence rate relative to those observed in most developed countries. Because health behavior depends on multiple factors and is formulated within a social context, a theory-driven model would be necessary to increase TB prevention behavior. Based upon the Health Belief Model, this study examined the effects of health beliefs, personality traits, and social factors on TB prevention behavior among Japanese adults. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with a nationally representative sample (N = 911; 50.9% women; mean age 49.5, SD = 14.1). Path analyses gave empirical support for the hypothesized model, suggesting that TB prevention behaviors are influenced by not only perceived susceptibility to the illness but also social factors such as cues to action and one’s concern to benefit others. The findings have implications for research examining health communication tailored to individual differences in personality and interpersonal concern.
Highlights
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem
The reconfigured Health Belief Model (HBM) demonstrated a good fit to the data: χ2 = 4.05, Comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.00, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .04, AIC = 104.05
The present study examined the applicability of a comprehensive TB prevention behavior model that incorporated socio-cognitive and demographic variables based on the framework of reconfigured HBM [16]
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem. TB appeared to have been almost eradicated in Japan, despite public health measures and health-promotion efforts, the decline in TB morbidity has been slow since 1975, and Japan has a mid-level TB burden, with 14.4 cases per 100,000 populations, which is much higher relative to those observed in most developed countries [1]. One of the factors hindering effective TB prevention behavior in Japan is the lack of efficient health communication strategies supported by theory-based research. Reviews have shown that interventions developed using theory exert more powerful effects relative to those without theoretical underpinnings [2], and there is an increasing emphasis on the identification and wide dissemination of evidence-based interventions [3]. A previous study applied the common-sense model [4] to TB prevention intention for female
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