Health Belief Model Constructs Research Articles

The effect of education on safe use of pesticides based on the health belief model

ObjectiveIn agricultural activities, pesticide use is critical, but poisoning issues are one of the most important occupational hazards for farmers. Training can help protect farmers’ health from pesticide hazards. This study aimed to investigate the effect of education on farmers’ behavior in the safe use of pesticides using the health belief model.MethodsA quasi-experimental (pretest-post-test) study conducted on 84 farmers who were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire including demographic information and a questionnaire designed based on the constructs of the health belief model in using personal protective equipment while working with the pesticides. The instrument was completed before and two weeks after an educational intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 26.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 48.94 ± 9.14 years and 69% were male. The study showed that with increasing age, the mean score of health belief model constructs in the safe use of pesticides decreased. Female and higher-educated farmers had higher scores. After the intervention, the mean scores of health belief model constructs in the safe use of pesticides increased significantly, except perceived barriers construct which decreased significantly. Also, the frequency of protective equipment uses while working with pesticides increased significantly after the intervention and safe behaviors increased, while unsafe behaviors decreased.ConclusionThe education as an effective intervention, improves farmers’ safety attitudes and behaviors in pesticide use and it is recommended that educational programs be designed according to the characteristics of the audience.

Using the health belief model to understand intention to vaccinate for Lyme disease in the United States.

A growing number of Lyme disease (LD) cases in the U.S. are reported in states neighbouring those with high-incidence (>10 cases per 100,000 population) rates. Considering the evolving epidemiology, high-incidence counties in many of these "neighbouring states," and the forthcoming vaccines, understanding the drivers of vaccination intention is critical, particularly how drivers of intention in neighbouring states vary relative to regions currently classified as high incidence. This study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) to determine the key drivers associated with vaccine intention for U.S. adults and caregivers of children residing in neighbouring states. Using an established panel with quotas for age, sex, race/ethnicity and urbanity, we surveyed 887 adults and 822 caregivers of children residing in U.S. neighbouring states. Survey items included measures of intention and HBM constructs, all of which were assessed using 5-point Likert scales. We subsequently used structural equation modelling to understand the influence of the HBM constructs on LD vaccine intention. Estimates from structural equation modelling show that the HBM constructs explain much of the variation in intention to vaccinate against LD. Intentions to vaccinate for both adults and caregivers are positively influenced by cues to action, perceived susceptibility of LD, and perceived benefits to vaccination. Both are also negatively influenced by perceived barriers to vaccination. The caregiver's intention to vaccinate is also positively influenced by the perceived severity of LD. The intention to vaccinate for respondents residing in LD neighbouring states is strongly influenced by recommendations from healthcare providers or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As incidence rises in neighbouring states and the need to prevent disease becomes more overt, public health officials should strongly recognize the influence of healthcare providers and CDC recommendations on intention to vaccinate against LD.

COVID-19 vaccination uptake among healthcare workers in Ghana: A comprehensive analysis of knowledge, attitude, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and health belief model constructs.

The novel Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) caused devastating effects globally, and healthcare workers were among the most affected by the pandemic. Despite healthcare workers being prioritized in COVID-19 vaccination globally and in Ghana, hesitancy to receive the vaccines resulted in delayed control of the pandemic. In Ghana, healthcare workers had a vaccine acceptance of 39.3% before the vaccine rollout. Consequently, this study assessed the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among healthcare workers in Ghana in the post-vaccine roll-out period. This was an analytical cross-sectional study that used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data on COVID-19 vaccination uptake and influencing factors. 256 healthcare workers were selected in Ayawaso West Municipality of Ghana using a stratified random sampling approach. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic factors and Likert scale responses. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression were performed using IBM SPSS version 22 to identify predictors of vaccine uptake and a statistical significance was declared at p<0.05. More than three-fourths of participants 220 (85.9%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, while 36 (14.9%) were hesitant. More than half 139 (54.3%) had adequate knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination and the majority 188 (73.4%) had positive perceptions about its effectiveness. Moreover, 218 (85.2%) of HCWs had a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI: 1.4, 13.0) and high cues to action (AOR = 5.7; 95% CI: 2.2, 14.8) were the factors that significantly predicted uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers. COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs in Ghana is promising. However, hesitancy to receive the vaccination among a significant proportion of HCWs raises concerns. To ensure vaccination of all healthcare workers, interventions to promote vaccination should target key determinants of vaccination uptake, such as attitude towards the vaccination and cues to action.

Using the Health Belief Model to Predict Tuberculosis Preventive Behaviors among Tuberculosis Patients' Household Contacts During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Border Areas of Northern Thailand.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the rate of tuberculosis (TB) infection among close contacts of TB patients in remote regions. However, research on preventive behaviors, guided by the health belief model (HBM), among household contacts of TB cases is scarce. This study aimed to employ the HBM as a framework to predict TB preventive behaviors among household contacts of TB patients in the border areas of Northern Thailand. A cross-sectional study with multi-stage random sampling was conducted in Chiang Rai Province. The study included 422 TB patients' household contacts aged 18 years or older who had available chest X-ray (CXR) results. A self-administered questionnaire was used to conduct the survey. The participants' mean age was 42.93 years. Pearson correlation analysis showed that TB preventive behavior scores were significantly correlated with TB knowledge (r=0.397), perceived susceptibility (r=0.565), perceived severity (r=0.452), perceived benefits (r=0.581), self-efficacy (r=0.526), and cues to action (r=0.179). Binary logistic regression revealed that the modeled odds of having an abnormal CXR decreased by 30.4% for each 1-point score increase in preventive behavior (OR=0.696; 95% CI, 0.610-0.794). HBM constructs were able to explain preventive behaviors among TB patients' household contacts. The HBM could be used in health promotion programs to improve TB preventive behaviors and avoid negative outcomes.

Utilisation of the health belief model to study the behavioural intentions relating to obesity management among university students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are excessive fat accumulations linked with many health problems, including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Multiple studies have demonstrated that beliefs about overweight, obesity and...

COVID-19 Vaccine Intention Among Iranian Health Workers: Application of the HBM Model

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the application of the health belief model (HBM) in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among health workers in 2021. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 3600 health workers from February to March 2021. Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire that included the intention to receive vaccines based on the health belief model constructs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics indicators, Chi-square, ANOVA test, and logistic regression model at a 95% confidence level. More than 62% of the participants intended to receive the vaccine. The odds of intention to receive the vaccine among people who worked in the health center and did not have a history of hospitalization due to COVID-19 disease were 1.50 and 2.10 units more than the others. Intention to receive the vaccine in individuals with high perceived sensitivity was 1.10 units. Furthermore, in terms of perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and cue-to-action constructs were 1.15, 1.34, and 1.65 units respectively. The rate of vaccine acceptance among Iranian health care workers was relatively good and the constructs of HBM in predicting the rate of intention to receive the vaccine had good applicability.

Good Hand Hygiene Practices: Increasing Public Awareness through Policy and Public Campaigns

This descriptive quantitative research evaluates compliance with and perceptions of hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers in hospitals in the city of Prabumulih and in the district of Muara Enim. Employing a simple random sample, 115 healthcare professionals were surveyed using a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) administered via Google Forms. The study primarily focuses on various perceptions including susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy towards hand hygiene. Statistical analyses, both descriptive to outline the general tendencies and inferential to explore the interconnections between different HBM constructs, aim to provide insights into the factors influencing hand hygiene practices. This research underscores the critical gaps between knowledge and actual hand hygiene behavior, particularly evident among healthcare students, highlighting the need for targeted educational strategies to enhance compliance and reduce disease transmission effectively.

Acceptability of COVID-19 booster vaccine in malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Despite the high efficacy and safety demonstrated in clinical trials, COVID-19 booster vaccination rates in Malaysia remain below 50% among the general public. This study explores the factors influencing public acceptance of the COVID-19 booster vaccine among the Malaysian population. The questionnaire included variables on sociodemographics, knowledge, and the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs. Based on the Chi-squared test of contingencies, a t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis on 411 collected responses, the findings revealed that older participants, individuals of Chinese ethnicity, and those with higher education levels and incomes were more willing to accept booster vaccinations. The analysis further identified perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived barriers as significant predictors influencing booster vaccination acceptance rates. Healthcare policymakers may consider targeting interventions to diminish the obstacles associated with booster vaccinations. These intervention strategies include implementing health intervention programmes, such as public health awareness initiatives, to raise awareness of the risks and severity of COVID-19, ultimately encouraging higher uptake of booster vaccines.

Predicting individuals’ preventive practices against Radon indoor exposure in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, poses a significant public health risk. This study aimed to assess indoor radon exposure in Saudi Arabia using the health belief model (HBM) as a framework for understanding and influencing public behaviour regarding the prevention on indoor radon exposure.A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 803 participants from diverse backgrounds recruited through convenience sampling. The online questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, risk factors, and HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, barriers, benefits, seriousness, and self-efficacy). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS.Most participants showed neutral perceptions towards susceptibility, severity (82.7% each), benefits (85.2%), and barriers (59.7%) to preventive practices. Only 31.6% had high self-efficacy, with 16.4% practicing good prevention and 44.3% fair. Preventive practices correlated positively with perceived severity, benefits, and self-efficacy, but negatively with risk score and perceived barriers.The study highlights the need for improved radon prevention practices in Saudi Arabia, focusing on educational campaigns, self-efficacy enhancement, policy support for renters, and better risk communication. These measures are crucial for mitigating radon exposure risks across the population.

Perceptions of Telehealth-Based Cancer Support Groups at a Rural Community Oncology Program.

Cancer peer support groups are crucial in improving quality of life outcomes and extending cancer survival. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as guiding frameworks, this study examined perceptions of telehealth-based cancer support groups among individuals treated for cancer at a rural oncology program. We distributed online surveys to 34 survivors or individuals undergoing cancer treatment who actively participated in virtual cancer support groups, achieving a 79.4% response rate (27 participants). The survey, blending quantitative and qualitative methodologies, assessed demographic characteristics, overall telehealth satisfaction, satisfaction with telehealth-based peer support, and perceived social support. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were examined through template analysis, focusing on the HBM and TPB constructs. Participants expressed general satisfaction with telehealth and indicated a willingness to use telehealth services again. Participants cited ease of use and broader access to cancer support groups with telehealth approaches. Barriers to telehealth included the lack of interpersonal connection, internet access, and technical difficulties. The findings underscore the nuanced perceptions of telehealth-based cancer support groups in a rural oncology setting. Despite acknowledging telehealth's limitations, participants appreciated its role in facilitating access to support. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing digital health interventions, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers both the potential and the challenges of telehealth in cancer care. This study offers critical guidance in optimizing digital health interventions and ensuring accessible, effective support for cancer patients in rural areas.

Perceptions towards cervical cancer and readiness for HPV vaccination among women in India

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy among women. However, it is preventable to the extent of 90%. The acceptability of HPV vaccination is very low in the rural settings. The Health Belief Model can effectively address problem behaviours that evoke health concerns. The study was done to find out the factors that shape the perceptions towards cervical cancer and readiness for HPV vaccination among reproductive age group women. A cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months in a rural area of Hooghly district. A total of 119 study participants were selected using two-stage Sampling and their knowledge and perceptions regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination were assessed using a validated interview schedule based on the constructs of Health Belief Model. The factors that drive the perceptions were determined using Multiple Logistic Regression analysis. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 version. The results showed that the median age of the study participants was 30 years and 15.1% had family history of cancer. Majority of them (71.4%) had unsatisfactory knowledge about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. Among the HBM constructs, perceived susceptibility and self- efficacy had 26.9% and 18.5% unsatisfactory responses respectively. Age (AOR=8.29, 95% CI=1.01–68.25), Education (AOR=4.30, 95% CI=1.22–15.17) and knowledge (AOR=3.06, 95% CI=1.63–10.60) were significant predictors of satisfactory perceptions. Education, adequate knowledge and younger age were the factors that shaped the perceptions and readiness for HPV vaccination. The HBM can be used to devise robust interventions to improve readiness.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Predict Health Belief Model and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Using Survey Text from US Nurses.

We investigated how artificial intelligence (AI) reveals factors shaping COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare providers by examining their open-text comments. We conducted a longitudinal survey starting in Spring of 2020 with 38,788 current and former female nurses in three national cohorts to assess how the pandemic has affected their livelihood. In January and March-April 2021 surveys, participants were invited to contribute open-text comments and answer specific questions about COVID-19 vaccine uptake. A closed-ended question in the survey identified vaccine-hesitant (VH) participants who either had no intention or were unsure of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. We collected 1970 comments from VH participants and trained two machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify behavioral factors related to VH. The first predictive model classified each comment into one of three health belief model (HBM) constructs (barriers, severity, and susceptibility) related to adopting disease prevention activities. The second predictive model used the words in January comments to predict the vaccine status of VH in March-April 2021; vaccine status was correctly predicted 89% of the time. Our results showed that 35% of VH participants cited barriers, 17% severity, and 7% susceptibility to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Out of the HBM constructs, the VH participants citing a barrier, such as allergic reactions and side effects, had the most associated change in vaccine status from VH to later receiving a vaccine.

Health Belief Model for Public Acceptance of Implementing COVID-19 Vaccination in Singkawang City, Indonesia

Background: The efficacy of immunization is contingent upon public acceptance. Using the behavioral theory of the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study seeks to determine intervention strategies against the most influential factor towards the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination program among the societies of Singkawang City. Methods: This investigation involved a cross-sectional design. The perceived severity, susceptibility, barriers, benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy were the independent variables. The dependent variable was the adoption of the COVID-19 vaccine by the public. Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Multivariate tests were used to present vaccine acceptance differences, relationships and impacts of each variable towards COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Results: There was a total of 461 participants in this study. For the majority of respondents (56.40%), COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among them remains modest. The difference between the low and high vaccination acceptance groups (p-value &lt; 0.05) was revealed. Except for perceived severity, this study demonstrated that all HBM constructs had a significant relationship with vaccination acceptance (p-value &lt; 0.05). In addition, the results of the logistic regression test indicated that the cues-to-action construct was the most influential factor in vaccine acceptance (OR= 7.156; CI, 95%= 4.107 – 12.469), followed by self-efficacy (OR=3.218; CI, 95%=1.819 – 5.694). Conclusion: Thus, health policymakers should focus on cues-to-action and self-efficacy factors for developing a strategy to increase vaccine acceptance among the Indonesian population by using current study results among the Singkawang population as a model to start the persuasion techniques.

Consumption of Iron Supplements, based on the Structures of the Health Belief Model, in Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in the Southeast of Iran

Objective: Iron deficiency is one of the common problems during infancy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the status of iron supplement consumption and the factors affecting it based on the constructs of the health belief model. Methodology: In this descriptive study, 402 mothers of children aged 6-12 months were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The status of mothers' performance regarding the provision of iron supplements and the status of health belief model constructs were evaluated using a questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression tests. Results: the present study showed that despite the state of proper awareness, the score of Consumption of iron supplements behavior was not favorable. So that 62.7% had reported a low performance. Pearson correlation test showed that only the perceived susceptibility score did not show significant relationship with the behavior (p = 0.174) The regression results showed that the variables included in the regression model, explained a total of 24.1% of the variance of the change in the behavior score (Adjusted R2 = 0.241). Conclusion: Considering the unfavorable situation of iron supplementation behavior in infants, the use of health belief theory constructs can be effective in persuading mothers. Community health nurses can be more successful in improving this index by providing educational intervention based on the structures of this model, especially helping to remove the barriers perceived by mothers.

Health Belief Model to Assess Mpox Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Residents and Staff, Cook County Jail, Illinois, USA, July-August 2022.

In summer 2022, a case of mpox was confirmed in a resident at the Cook County Jail (CCJ) in Chicago, Illinois, USA. We conducted in-depth interviews with CCJ residents and staff to assess mpox knowledge, attitudes, and practices; hygiene and cleaning practices; and risk behaviors. We characterized findings by using health belief model constructs. CCJ residents and staff perceived increased mpox susceptibility but were unsure about infection severity; they were motivated to protect themselves but reported limited mpox knowledge as a barrier and desired clear communication to inform preventive actions. Residents expressed low self-efficacy to protect themselves because of contextual factors, including perceived limited access to cleaning, disinfecting, and hygiene items. Our findings suggest correctional facilities can support disease prevention by providing actionable and tailored messages; educating residents and staff about risk and vaccination options; and ensuring access to and training for hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting supplies.

Health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening among women aged 30–49 years in Arbaminch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023

BackgroundCervical cancer is a preventable disease. However, it remains the commonest and deadly cancer in women worldwide. Health care seeking behaviour is not well studied in Ethiopia even though it is crucial in averting cervical cancer by maximizing cervical cancer screening utilization. Therefore, this study amid to assess health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening and its associated factors among women aged 30–49 years in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 414 women who are in the age range of 30–49 in Arba Minch town from January 2-February20, 2023. Study participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique from all kebeles and data were collected using pretested interviewer administered questionnaires. SPSS version 27 was used to conduct binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were described using descriptive statistics. Furthermore, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were made to find the factors associated with health care seeking behaviour. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 on binary logistic regression were selected for multivariable logistic regression. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The reliability and internal consistency of the constructs of health belief model were calculated independently using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultThe prevalence of health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening was 197(47.6%) [95%CI: 42.7-52.5%]. Respondents’ good knowledge [AOR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.01–2.39], positive perceived susceptibility [AOR = 3.63, 95%CI: 2.06–6.42], positive perceived severity [AOR = 2.65, 95%CI: 1.71–4.09], positive perceived benefits [AOR = 4.85, 95%CI: 2.92–7.87] were significantly associated with health seeking behaviour.ConclusionThe prevalence of health care seeking behaviour towards cervical cancer screening is low in this study. To maximize the health care seeking behavior of women, further acting on perceived susceptibility, respondents’ knowledge, perceived severity, and perceived benefit of the woman are crucial.

Intention to vaccinate for Lyme disease using the Health Belief Model.

Lyme disease (LD) cases in the United States are estimated to be approaching 500,000 annually. Protective measures, such as repellent use and wearing protective clothing are recommended by public health officials. However, no protective measure has been proven to be consistently effective, partly because they require consistent and persistent behaviour change. While safe and effective vaccines are in development, it is unclear what factors influence the intention to vaccinate against LD. This study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework to determine key drivers associated with vaccine intention. The HBM is widely applied in public health research and uses the following constructs: perceived susceptibility and severity of disease, perceived benefits and barriers to disease prevention, and cues to action for disease prevention to predict health behaviours. To date, the HBM framework has not been applied to vaccination intention for LD. Data were collected from 874 adults and 834 caregivers of children residing in US states endemic to LD. Sampling adults and caregivers allows us to explore how the intention to vaccinate differs among those at-risk. Estimates from structural equation modelling (SEM) show that the HBM constructs explain much of the variation in intention to vaccinate against LD. Both adult and caregiver intentions to vaccinate are positively influenced by cues to action, perceived susceptibility of LD, and perceived benefits to vaccination. However, there is variation in the influence of constructs across the samples. Caregiver's intention to vaccinate is positively influenced by the perceived severity of LD and negatively influenced by safety concerns about the vaccine, whereas adult intention is negatively influenced by perceived barriers to vaccination. A strong relationship of cues to action on vaccine intention in samples of adults and caregivers suggests the importance of a recommendation from a healthcare provider or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The impact of theory-based education on promoting urinary tract infection prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women - experimental study.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a prevalent infection among the elderly population, often culminating in more severe and life-threatening complications. The prevalence of diabetes among elderly individuals is markedly on the rise, with UTI emerging as the most prevalent infectious ailment in this diabetic cohort. This study aims to ascertain the influence of theory-based education on promoting UTI prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women. In this experimental study, 100 elderly women with diabetes who sought care at comprehensive health service centres in Miandoab City between January and May 2022 were assessed. Multistage random sampling was employed, and an educational intervention was designed according to the health belief model (HBM) constructs. Data collected before and one month after the educational intervention were analysed with a validated and reliable researcher-designed questionnaire. The participants had a mean age of 62.30 ±7.63 years. There was significant disparity between the experimental and control groups concerning the mean scores for knowledge, HBM constructs, and behaviour, with adjustments made for baseline differences. In essence, the intervention had significant affects, resulting in heightened levels of knowledge, improvements in HBM constructs, and more favourable behavioural changes. The effect size was moderate for perceived benefits and severity, while it was large for other variables (p < 0.05). The research findings validate the effectiveness of an intervention grounded in HBM for fostering UTI prevention behaviours among elderly diabetic women. Consequently, such an approach is recommended for enhancing the overall health of elderly diabetic women.

Young adults’ intention to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among their grandparents: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of college students in China

BackgroundDuring a vaccination plateau phase, traditional vaccination promotion strategies such as the mobilization of government and community appear to have limited impact on expanding the coverage. New strategies to promote vaccination are needed especially in older adults. Our study aimed to assess college students’ intention to encourage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among their grandparents and its correlates. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from May to June 2022. We collected information on socio-demographics of college students and their grandparents, constructs of health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) for college students, and college students’ intention to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among their grandparents. Multilevel logistic regression models were performed to assess correlates of intention. ResultsWe enrolled 2681 college students who reported information for 6302 grandparents. 2272 students (84.7 %) intended to encourage COVID-19 vaccination for 4744 (75.3 %) grandparents. Intention was associated with having received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine (AOR 3.28, 95 % CI 1.68–6.42), having ever lived with their grandparents (2.07, 1.46–2.93), and having grandparents who regularly went outdoors (2.85, 1.70–4.76). HBM and TPB models showed that college students who had higher levels of perceived susceptibility (1.79, 1.12–2.87), perceived severity (1.52, 1.12–2.06) of COVID-19 among their grandparents, and higher levels of subjective norms (2.88, 1.61–5.15) were more likely to have the intention. ConclusionCollege students’ intention to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among their grandparents was high. It may be potentially viable to engage college students in promoting COVID-19 and other routine vaccination among older adults.

Fostering health advocacy: Unveiling educational impact on testicular cancer awareness in male university students – Health belief model and social support strategy in a groundbreaking Pre-Post Quasi-Experimental study

BackgroundTesticular cancer represents a considerable health issue for young adults, including university students, yet there is a lack of specialized interventions targeting this demographic. Drawing from the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Social Support Strategy, an educational campaign seeks to empower male university students by providing them with information and encouraging proactive self-examination practices concerning testicular cancer. AimTo evaluate the effectiveness of this educational intervention, utilizing the HBM and Social Support, in enhancing testicular cancer awareness and encouraging self-examination among male university students through a pioneering pre-post quasi-experimental study. MethodsA pre-post quasi-experimental study engaged 350 university students from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, KSA, over a period of five months, from June to October 2023. The intervention comprised seven training sessions, encompassing sociodemographic information, knowledge assessment, evaluation of the Health Belief Model (HBM), and an assessment of the social support strategy. ResultsFollowing the intervention, participants, with a mean age of 20.8 ± 13.5 years, exhibited significant improvements across various domains. These enhancements encompassed increased knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, recognized benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, social support, and performance in Testicular Self-Examination. ConclusionThe research underscores the effectiveness of an intervention grounded in Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and social support in cultivating preventive behaviours against testicular cancer among university students. This establishes a foundation for future educational interventions aimed at promoting awareness and proactive measures against testicular cancer within this demographic. RecommendationsThe study recommends implementing targeted campaigns that collaborate closely with healthcare professionals, utilize interactive platforms, and exhibit cultural sensitivity. It emphasizes the importance of regular follow-ups, public awareness initiatives, school-based programs, and ongoing adaptation based on emerging research as essential components of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of testicular cancer through behaviour modification.