Differences In Health Beliefs Research Articles

The Effects of Health Belief Components on Women’s Intentions of Early Cancer Screenings

This study investigated the impacts of health belief components on women’s illness-related attitudes from a cross-national perspective, focusing on how women’s perceptions of women-specific cancers and the early screening procedures for these cancers. Online surveys were administered to a total of 944 females aged 30-59 from three countries: the US, Japan, and South Korea. Participants were asked about their health beliefs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers) and intentions to take early screenings for women-specific cancers. The results of statistical analyses (MANCOVA and multiple regression) indicated that Japanese and South Korean women were significantly higher in degrees of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity compared to US women. However, Japanese women showed the least positive attitude toward cancer prevention among the three countries. Other results also confirmed cross-national differences in health beliefs and their influence on women’s attitudes toward cancer prevention, but many of the results were not consistent with the cultural values traditionally associated with each nation. Implications of the findings point to improvements in health promotion practices that target women.

Differences in health beliefs and health behaviors between university, academic and professional staff

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a known contributor to a variety of chronic diseases, with many adults spending a large proportion of their lives working in sedentary occupations. The aim of this project was to examine the impact of occupational classification on health behaviors and health beliefs in full-time employees. Methods This project was a self-report, descriptive design. The participants included 117 Academic and 180 Profe ssional staff employed at a regional University (65% female, age 43.2 ± 11.0 years). Participants completed an online survey that involved a self-report of demographic characteristics, physical activity and sitting time (via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and health beliefs (via the Health Belief Model). Independent t-tests, Mann Whitney U-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to compare Academic to Professional staff responses. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated to determine relationships between dependent variables. Results Academic staff agreed more than Professional staff that regular exercise would reduce disease-related mortality, surgery and anxiety, and that they were likely to develop a disease during their lifetime (p 0.05) and sitting (3004 ± 1076 vs. 2758 ± 1031 minutes/week, p>0.05) to Professional staff. Working hours were not significantly correlated to sitting or physical activity time in either group. Sitting time was significantly (negatively) correlated to walking time for the Professional staff (ρ=-0.203, p=0.02), with no relationship evident for the Academic staff. Discussion Academic and Professional staff at a regional University report differences in health beliefs and health behaviors. The health beliefs of Academic staff do not appear to directly affect exercise behavior. The impact of both occupational classification and individual health beliefs should be considered when designing worksite health programs.

Age-Related Differences in Health Beliefs Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Among Korean American Women

Cervical cancer screening rates among older Korean American (KA) women are much lower than the rates for younger KA women, even though the overall cancer screening rates in the population continue to have one of the lowest Papanicolaou (Pap) test adherence rates compared with non-Hispanic White women. Variables based on the Health Belief Model related to cervical cancer screening were compared by age group among KA women. A telephone survey was conducted with 189 KA women living in the midwestern United States. Perceived barriers to having a Pap test predicted the outcome variable of having had Pap tests in the preceding 3 years in older KA women who were 65 or older, but not in younger women who were between 40 and 64 years old. Having physical examinations without symptoms in the preceding 2 years predicted the outcome variable in both age groups. Intervention strategies for all KA women should focus on encouraging them to receive routine physical examinations. In addition, attempts should be made to reduce perception of barriers in older KA women to improve their cervical cancer screening behaviors.

Optometrists' perspectives on cross‐cultural encounters in clinical practice: a pilot study

Background: There is growing awareness that cultural background influences health beliefs and practices and can impact on the patient–practitioner encounter. However, in relation to optometry there is little known about the implications of cultural diversity for clinical decision‐making and how optometrists address culturally based understandings of health. This pilot study examines how culturally based differences in health practices and beliefs impact on patient–optometrist interactions and how optometrists negotiate and manage these differences.Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 10 optometrists. A qualitative analysis was undertaken regarding the optometrists' experiences of cultural diversity and how these impact their decision‐making and clinical interactions.Results: Emergent themes were:1 Culture can influence and impact on patient–optometrist clinical encounters.2 Culturally based differences in health practices and beliefs can have a negative impact on clinical encounters.3 Culturally based differences, beliefs and values (related to eye health) can be difficult to negotiate.4 Optometrists might benefit from additional training and strategies to deal with culturally based differences in health beliefs and practices.Conclusions: This pilot study provides data about some of the issues that arise as a result of cultural differences between patients and health care practitioners. The findings from this study contribute to an understanding of the impact of cultural diversity and might assist the development of training and further research in the area.

Musculoskeletal complaints among nurses working at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

ObjectivesMusculoskeletal symptoms are common among nurses, and have been linked with physical stresses from patient handling. However, their occurrence depends also on psychosocial factors, and may be influenced by health...

Quality of life and mental health in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients: the role of health beliefs

Patients' beliefs regarding their health are important to understand responses to chronic disease. The present study aimed to determine (i) whether beliefs about health differ between different renal replacement therapies in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and (ii) whether these beliefs are associated with health-related quality of life (HQoL), as well as with mental health. A sample of 89 ESRD patients, 41 on hemodialysis (HD) treatment and 48 on peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment, completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument, the General Health Questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control. Regarding differences in health beliefs between the two groups, HD patients focused more on the dimension of internal health locus of control than PD patients. This dimension was associated with better QoL (P = <0.01) and general health (P = 0.03) in the total sample. On the contrary, the dimension of important others in health locus of control was associated with higher depression (P = 0.02). The beliefs that dialysis patients hold about their illness appear to be related to the type of renal replacement therapy. These cognitions are associated with HQoL and with mental health.

Race and Ethnic Differences in Health Beliefs About Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Health beliefs are an important mediator between the experience of symptoms and health behaviors, and these beliefs can vary by race or ethnicity. The aim of this study was to better understand the gap between experiencing symptoms and not seeking medical care by examining health beliefs about lower urinary tract symptoms across race and ethnic groups. Qualitative, semistructured interviews were conducted with 35 Black, Hispanic, and White people who reported at least one urinary symptom but had not spoken with a healthcare provider about the symptom(s). Drawing on Shaw's framework of health behavior and outcomes, a range of beliefs was examined: cause, consequence, continuation, and treatability. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes according to race or ethnic background. The belief that lower urinary tract symptoms are a typical part of aging and not amenable to medical treatment was most common among White respondents. Black respondents more commonly attributed their symptoms to personal behaviors over which they had control and therefore did not require medical care. Hispanic respondents appeared more often to live with uncertainty about the cause of their symptoms and an accompanying concern about a future health consequence. The combination of a range of health beliefs to form a cognitive representation made sense of the behavior of not seeking medical care. The finding that sociocultural differences shaped these cognitive representations underscores the need for cultural competency in patient assessment and education. Results have implications for theories of health behavior and indicate further research with larger samples, additional psychosocial influences, and other symptoms.

A Cultural Competency Course for Pharmacy Students

To design, implement, and evaluate a course on health promotion and literacy. Course objectives such as the development of cultural competency skills, awareness of personal biases, and appreciation of differences in health beliefs among sociocultural groups were addressed using a team-based learning instructional strategy. Student learning outcomes were enhanced using readiness assessment tests (RATs), group presentations, portfolio reflections, and panel discussions. Comparing precourse and postcourse Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence among Healthcare Professionals (IAPCC-R) scores and portfolio responses indicated enhanced progress toward cultural competency. The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) provided suggestions for course enhancements. Evidence supporting enhanced cultural competency after completing the course affirms its value as we prepare pharmacy students to provide patient-centered care in a culturally diverse world.

Quality of life, mental health and health beliefs in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients: Investigating differences in early and later years of current treatment

BackgroundThe study examines differences regarding quality of life (QoL), mental health and illness beliefs between in-centre haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD/PD) patients. Differences are examined between patients who recently commenced treatment compared to patients on long term treatment.Methods144 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients were recruited from three treatment units, of which 135 provided full data on the variables studied. Patients consisted of: a) 77 in-centre haemodialysis (HD) and 58 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD/PD) patients, all currently being treated by dialysis for varied length of time. Patients were compared for differences after being grouped into those who recently commenced treatment (< 4 years) and those on long term treatment (> 4 years). Next, cases were selected as to form two equivalent groups of HD and CAPD/PD patients in terms of length of treatment and sociodemographic variables. The groups consisted of: a) 41 in-centre haemodialysis (HD) and b) 48 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD/PD) patients, fitting the selection criteria of recent commencement of treatment and similar sociodemographic characteristics. Patient-reported assessments included: WHOQOL-BREF, GHQ-28 and the MHLC, which is a health locus of control inventory.ResultsDifferences in mean scores were mainly observed in the HD patients with > 4 years of treatment, providing lower mean scores in the QoL domains of physical health, social relationships and environment, as well as in overall mental health. Differences in CAPD/PD groups, between those in early and those in later years of treatment, were not found to be large and significant. Concerning the analysis on equivalent groups derived from selection of cases, HD patients indicated significantly lower mean scores in the QoL domain of environment and higher scores in the GHQ-28 subscales of anxiety/insomnia and severe depression, indicating more symptoms in these areas of mental health. With regards to illness beliefs, HD patients who recently commenced treatment provided higher mean scores in the dimension of internal health locus of control, while CAPD/PD patients on long term treatment indicated higher mean scores in the dimension of chance. Regarding differences in health beliefs between equivalent groups of HD and CAPD/PD patients, HD patients focused more on the dimension of internal health locus of control.ConclusionThe results provide evidence that patients in HD treatment modality, particularly those with many years of treatment, were experiencing a more compromised QoL in comparison to CAPD/PD patients.

Impact of consumers' health beliefs, health involvement and risk perception on fish consumption

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of consumers' health beliefs, health involvement, and risk perception on fish consumption behaviour in five European countries.Design/methodology/approachCross‐sectional data were collected through a pan‐European consumer survey (n=4,786) with samples representative for age and region in Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain and Poland. First, the cross‐cultural validity and cross‐cultural differences in health beliefs, health involvement and risk perception in relation to fish have been tested. Next, structural equation modelling (LISREL) was used in order to simultaneously estimate the strength and direction of relationships between health beliefs, health involvement and risk perception in relation to fish consumption.FindingsHealth involvement links up indirectly with subjective health and with total fish consumption, in both cases through increased interest in healthy eating. Interest in healthy eating positively and directly influences fish consumption. Increased risk perception from fish consumption negatively influences consumers' subjective health, as well as consumers' total fish consumption. Finally, subjective health positively relates to satisfaction with life.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on fish as a product category, and included only a limited number of attitudinal constructs.Originality/valueThis paper provides a unique model relating health beliefs, health involvement and risk perception to fish consumption, which has been tested and validated using a large pan‐European consumer sample.

Understanding the reasons for poor asthma outcomes in ethnic minorities: welcome progress, but important questions remain

Understanding the reasons for poor asthma outcomes in ethnic minorities: welcome progress, but important questions remain

Factorial invariance found in survey instrument measuring arthritis-related health beliefs among African-Americans and Whites

Objective Reliable and valid instruments for measuring health beliefs related to arthritis and total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are lacking. The present study examined the factorial invariance of an Arthritis-related Health Belief Instrument (AHBI) that measures four constructs: severity of arthritis, susceptibility of arthritis to get worse, and perceived benefits and barriers of TJA. Study Design and Setting In an urban primary care clinic setting, African-American (AA) and White (W) patients ( n = 664) with at least a moderately severe degree of osteoarthritis completed the AHBI. For the cross-sectional data on the first 120 enrolled participants, exploratory factor analysis was performed to derive the initial factor structures. For the remaining 544 participants, single-group and multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to assess factorial invariance. Results The CFA analyses revealed that a four-factor model was invariant across race. Conclusion The findings of invariance across race support the use of the AHBI to measure ethnic group differences in health beliefs as they relate to arthritis and TJA. Future analyses should continue to assess other aspects of reliability and validity of the AHBI.

Resistance, Health, and Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Mexican Immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico Border

Mexican immigrants living in the U.S.-Mexico border region are confronted with different national explanations about latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and preventive treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore how a group of Mexican immigrant women (N = 8) at risk of LTBI treatment failure interpreted and ultimately resisted LTBI preventive treatment. A critical ethnographic methodology, grounded in asymmetrical power relations that are historically embedded within the U.S.-Mexico border culture, was used to examine the encounters between the participants and the health care provider. The study findings are discussed from the perspective of women who experienced oppression and resistance in the U.S.-Mexico border region, providing an account of how Mexican immigrant women become entangled in U.S.-Mexico TB health policies and through resistance manage to assert control over health care choices. In the context of the U.S.-Mexico border region, health care professionals must be skilled at minimizing asymmetrical power relations and use methods that elicit immigrant voices in reconciling differences in health beliefs and practices.

Is greater patient choice consistent with equity? The case of the English NHS

There are substantial inequities within the current National Health Service (NHS), with people in lower socioeconomic groups (SEGs) using a wide range of services less relative to their needs than people in higher SEGs. These inequities are likely to arise due to factors on both the demand and the supply side of the system. On the demand side, they could arise from differences in patients' beliefs, knowledge, costs, resources and capabilities. On the supply side, professional beliefs and attitudes, and risk selection or cream-skimming by providers may result in inequities. This paper discusses whether these factors are at play within the English NHS and analyses whether current policy to extend patient choice of provider is likely to reduce or increase these inequities. It shows that extending patient choice may leave unchanged inequity due to differences in health beliefs (because choice does not affect these directly), increase inequity due to unequal resources (because patients may have to travel further), and decrease inequity due to unequal capabilities (because the poor will have access to a new and, for them a more effective, source of leverage over health service professionals). On the supply side, there will be little change. The paper then discusses policy options for dealing with factors that contribute to greater inequity on the demand side. It proposes a package of supported choice whereby individuals from lower SEGs would receive assistance in making choices, including an identified key worker to act as patient care adviser and help with transport costs. The paper concludes that policies for extending patient choice can enhance equity--so long as they are properly designed.

Using the Health Belief Model to Examine Differences in Adherence to Mammography Among African-American and Caucasian Women

Current studies indicate that rates of mammography use in the general population fall below objectives set by leading health agencies. This is even more true in the African-American community. This study used the health belief model as the theoretical basis of a secondary data analysis to establish differences in health beliefs among African-American and Caucasian women related to mammography. Data were obtained from members of the Indiana University Medical Group and from outpatients of the General Medicine Clinic, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the health belief model explained approximately 13% of the variance associated with Caucasian women's compliance with mammography and approximately 9% of the variance for African-American women, with differences between specific variables that appeared to have the most explanatory power. These findings indicate that the model, although a good starting point, does not completely explain the differences that exist between health beliefs or behavior regarding mammography among the two groups of women.

US Physician Adherence to Standards in Asthma Pharmacotherapy Varies by Patient and Physician Characteristics

US Physician Adherence to Standards in Asthma Pharmacotherapy Varies by Patient and Physician Characteristics

Gender Differences in Health Beliefs Concerning Violent Victimization by Strangers

ABSTRACT We examined gender differences in perceptions of violent victimization committed by strangers. Two-hundred and fourteen persons aged 18–24 were sampled. A 45-item questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) was developed by the authors. Results of a series of independent t-tests revealed significant gender differences on three of the four HBM constructs. Results indicated that although a higher percentage of male respondents had been the victim of a violent crime, females felt more vulnerable to violent crime and perceived there to be fewer barriers to preventing violent crime. Implications for health educators are discussed.

Gender and Ethnic Differences in Health Beliefs and Behaviors

This study explored the extent to which college men and women of various racial and ethnic groups differ in their health beliefs and behaviors. Exploratory factor analyses of survey responses from a diverse sample of 1816 undergraduate students identified 21 items in six cohesive domains: Diet; Anger and Stress; Preventive Care; Medical Compliance; Substance Use; and Beliefs about Masculinity. Analyses of variance explored group differences across these domains. Findings revealed consistent gender differences, with men engaging in riskier behaviors and holding riskier beliefs than women. Main effects for ethnicity were also observed, but only for the diet domain was a gender by ethnicity interaction found. Implications for establishing gender- and ethnicity-based health promotion and disease prevention interventions are discussed.

Fertility, migration, and mortality in an old order Amish community.

Mortality, fertility, and migration data were used to identify population structure in a group of Old Order Amish living in New York State. Two thousand and sixteen individuals were accounted for since the community was first formed in 1948 and this is nearly total ascertainment of the population. Further, ethnography compared Amish households to neighboring non-Amish households to understand differences in health beliefs, caregiving patterns, and economic strategies. Despite evidence that suggests that the Amish have health risks comparable to U.S. population and that they under-utilize health care, this study demonstrates that Amish age standardized death rates are 19% below the U.S. death rate in 1960. Natural fertility combined with low infant mortality, migrating to form new communities when population density increased, and selective but appropriate use of western biomedicine have emerged as strong cultural patterns that facilitated reproductive success and longevity among the Amish. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:619-628, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fertility, migration, and mortality in an old order Amish community

Mortality, fertility, and migration data were used to identify population structure in a group of Old Order Amish living in New York State. Two thousand and sixteen individuals were accounted for since the community was first formed in 1948 and this is nearly total ascertainment of the population. Further, ethnography compared Amish households to neighboring non-Amish households to understand differences in health beliefs, caregiving patterns, and economic strategies. Despite evidence that suggests that the Amish have health risks comparable to U.S. population and that they under-utilize health care, this study demonstrates that Amish age standardized death rates are 19% below the U.S. death rate in 1960. Natural fertility combined with low infant mortality, migrating to form new communities when population density increased, and selective but appropriate use of western biomedicine have emerged as strong cultural patterns that facilitated reproductive success and longevity among the Amish. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:619–628, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.