Health Belief Model Components Research Articles

Healthcare Workers’ Readiness for COVID-19 Vaccination Using Health Belief Model

Objective:: Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination of medical personnel reduces the spread of infection the research aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals' attitudes toward vaccination by the health belief model. Methods:: A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was used for the study. Results:: Most medical personnel agreed to get the COVID-19 vaccination (84%; n=384). Medical workers over 45 (90%) showed more readiness for vaccination. The main pushbacks against the vaccination included the development of a vaccine in a short period (n=56; 73.7%), fear of side effects (n=49; 64.5%), lack of reliable information about vaccination (n=35; 46.1%), negative information spread by the media (n=26, 34.2%). Recommendations by healthcare workers (63.9%), health authorities (73.1), media (70%), large number of people being vaccinated (72.6%), and provision of trustworthy information (71.3%) facilitate vaccination. Conclusion:: The high rate of COVID-19 vaccination among medical personnel shows that they have a high risk perception of infection. Among Health Belief Model components, cues to actions were most important in willingness to carry out vaccination. Recommendations of the WHO and scientists significantly influence the willingness to carry out vaccination. The regulatory responsibilities of the state and the public's trust in it play a crucial role in raising the population's awareness about the vaccine.

Using the Health Belief Model to Predict Vaccination Intention in Unvaccinated Adults in Latvia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Vaccination is a global health development success story that saves millions of lives every year and reduces the risk of getting various infectious diseases, including COVID-19. At the end of 2021, a rapid increase in the size of the population infected with COVID-19 and a low vaccination coverage were observed in Latvia (Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2021). Also, despite the available vaccines, by the beginning of May 2022, only 60.6% of the population of Latvia had completed the full course of vaccination against COVID-19. According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination process is characterised by variability and flexibility, and in general, vacci-nation rates have declined in recent years. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the vaccination predicting factors of unvaccinated adults in Latvia using the Health Belief Model (HBM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sample consisted of 539 respondents aged 18 to 75 years (M = 45.35, SD = 15.70), who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 and who had to make a decision to vaccinate or not, and who were part of a representative sample of Latvian residents (n = 1017). The data was collected in September and were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis. A statistically significant moderate strong positive correlation was shown between vaccination intention and all six vaccination motives as perceived benefits (r = 0.40–0.44, p < 0.01); statistically significant but weak positive correlation between vaccination intention and risk appraisal as perceived threat (r = 0.20, p < 0.01) and COVID-19 experience as cues to action (r = 0.20, p < 0.01); and statistically significant negative but weak correlation for vaccination intention and fear of vaccination as perceived barriers (r = –0.21, p < 0.01). The results revealed a statistically significant positive association of vaccination intention and the components of HBM: perceived threats, perceived benefits and cues to action, as well as a statistically significant negative association with perceived barriers. The results revealed several factors that predict vaccination intention, explaining 32% of the variation in vaccination intention: education level, perceived threats, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action. Higher levels of education, higher perceived threat of contracting COVID-19, many different social motives for vaccination (e.g., to be able travel), confidence that the vaccine will not cause significant side effects and long-term consequences, and experience with COVID-19 are factors that predicts an individual’s intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.

Perceived social risks and farmers’ behavior in using urban wastewater in their farms

An alternative source of water in drought conditions is treated urban wastewater which can be used in the cultivation of some crops if properly managed. However, farmers consume it with no regard to its treatment, which will have dangerous consequences for the health of humans and the environment. Accordingly, this research aimed to study farmers' behavior in using urban wastewater considering perceived social risks. The study was conducted on farmers in the Sistan plain, Iran (N = 6000). The sample (361 farmers) was taken by the proportionally allocated stratified randomization technique. The extended Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to investigate the farmers' behavior. The results revealed that perceived social risks (health, environmental, and socio-ethical risks) had significant effects on the HBM components. Also, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and perceived self-efficacy had positive and significant effects on the farmers' behavior in using urban wastewater. The results may have practical consequences for policymaking and designing interventions for modifying farmers’ behaviors in using urban wastewater.

The effect of web-based and face-to-face training given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels regarding obesity.

This study compared the effects of web-based and face-to-face education given to office workers on health beliefs and physical activity levels towards obesity. The research was conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study. The study population consisted of 768 office workers between February 2020 and April 2021, and the sample of the research consisted of 90 individuals selected from the population using the nonprobability sampling method. Clinical trial number of the study is NCT05591846. A total of 90 people, including 30 people in each group, were included in the study. According to the obesity health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the beliefs of individuals about obesity; it was determined that there was a significant increase in the subdimensions of the importance of health, sensitivity, seriousness and perception of benefit and a decrease in the perception of obstacles (p < 0.05). After both education methods were given according to the health belief model, a positive change was achieved in the physical activity level of the individuals; it was determined that the physical activity level score increased significantly (p < 0.05). It was determined that web-based and face-to-face education given to individuals had a positive effect on the obesity health belief model components and the levels of physical activity level.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL (HBM) CONCEPT ON THE USE OF THE COVID_19 VACCINE. POPULATION CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN WEST JAVA PROVINCE

The implementation of the concept of the health belief model (HBM) during this pandemic is an effective step in analyzing the reasons for individuals/society to want or not to carry out healthy behavior, especially in the use of covid_19 vaccination. This study aims to analyze the community's compliance in participating in the Covid_19 vaccination program based on a health belief model (HBM) concept approach which consists of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits, and perceived seriousness. perceived barrier, perceived self-efficacy, self-efficacy during the Covid_19 pandemic. This type of quantitative research with a cross-sectional study design was carried out in West Java Province, sampling using accidental sampling technique. The research data was processed quantitatively by using multiple linear regression analysis method to measure the effect of the 6 components of HBM, namely (1) perceived susceptibility. (2). perceived seriousness, (3). perceived benefits, (4). perceived barrier, (5). perceived self-efficacy (6). self efficacy towards community compliance in participating in the Covid_19 vaccination program Perceived vulnerability, perceived seriousness, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, gender, and education had a significant relationship with community compliance in participating in the Covid-19 vaccine program with a p-value of 0.000. The most dominant factor in influencing people's adherence to the Covid-19 vaccine is self-efficacy with Exp (B) of 4,616. In this study, it was concluded that the dominant variable affecting community compliance in participating in the covid-19 vaccination program was the self-efficacy variable. Self-confidence that having the ability to obey and want to be vaccinated against covid-19, has the most effect on compliance in participating in the covid-19 vaccination program. People with good self-efficacy have a 4.2 times chance of being obedient to the covid-19 vaccine

Identification of factors associated with non-adherence to recommended COVID-19 preventive behaviours: a cross-sectional study based on a survey among 1004 French primary care professionals

ObjectivesSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to preventive behaviours to limit virus spread has been a major issue. The study objective was to identify factors associated with non-adherence...

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among adult clients at public hospitals in eastern Ethiopia using the health belief model: multicentre cross-sectional study

ObjectiveImmunization is still one of the best ways to reduce viral-related morbidity and mortality . Therefore, this study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among adult clients...

Determination of Factors Influencing the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Adherence to Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Among Patients With Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

Background Diabetic macular edema (DME) isbecoming one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide with a significant impact on quality of life.The effectiveness of intravitreal (IVT) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has been established byclinical trials and has become the treatment of choice in the majority of DME patients in reducing macular edema and improving visual acuity. Frequent drop-out and discontinuation of treatment are major issues. Lack of compliance can lead to worsening outcomes and be a burden to patients and the healthcare system. Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess multiple factors that affect adherence to IVT anti-VEGF treatment among patients with DME, including socioeconomic causes and the Health Belief Model(HBM) domains, in addition to exploring the relationship between them. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among DME patients in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 2020 to June 2021.We identified eligible patients using a retrospective chart review of clinical findings and optical coherence tomography (OCT)findings. Included subjects were of Malaysian nationality, aged 18 years and above, who were initiated or re-initiated IVT anti-VEGF treatment regime and on follow-up for at least six months from initial injection from January 2019 onwards. A translated and validated self-administered questionnaire was given to the respondents. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States).Demographics of the patient were summarized using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test was used to compare the difference in components of the HBM questionnaire. Linear regression was further used to explore the relationship between patients' demographics and the HBM component. Results A total of 141 patients participated in this study, of whom56.2% patients were adherent to treatment. The majority were aged 60 years and above (56.7%), male (52.5%), Malay (38.9%), and married (71.6%). There was a significant statistical difference in patients who were adherent to treatment, in terms of life entourage (p=0.004, Fisher Exact test). HBM domains that influenced adherence to treatment included perceived severity, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy (p<0.05, independent sample t-test).Further, multiple logistic regression tests on sociodemographic factors and HBM domains after eliminating confounding factors narrowed down the significant variables to perceived susceptibility (p= 0.023), perceived benefits (p< 0.001), and self-efficacy (p< 0.001). Conclusion Patients' adherence to IVT anti-VEGF is influenced by perceived susceptibility to complications from DME, perceived benefits to the treatment, and self-efficacy.

Exercise health belief model mediates the relationship between physical activity and peer support among Chinese college students: A cross-sectional survey.

This study explored the influence of the exercise health belief model and peer support on university students' physical activity PA and clarified the related mechanism. Three hundred and thirty-six healthy university students (aged 19.4 ± 1.3 years, 166 male and 170 female) from Sichuan University of Arts and Science in China were evaluated by the peer support scale, the health belief model scale for exercise, and the physical activity scale (short volume). The results showed that the male students' exercise self-efficacy and PA were markedly higher than female university students. Peer support was positively correlated with perceived benefits, exercise self-efficacy, perceived severity, and cues to action, and was adversely associated with perceived objective and subjective barriers. PA was positively correlated with perceived benefits and exercise self-efficacy, and negatively correlated with perceived objective and subjective barriers. Among the components of the exercise health belief model, only exercise self-efficacy was suitable for constructing a structural equation model (SEM) with peer support and PA. The analysis showed that the predictive effect of exercise self-efficacy on PA was more significant than peer support, and exercise self-efficacy played a critical intermediary role. It is worth noting that, in the grouping model, the effect of male college students' exercise self-efficacy on PA was greater than that of female students, and the model fit of male peer support was better than that of female students. Although the impact of peer support on PA was less than that of exercise self-efficacy and the direct effect of peer support was less than the indirect effect, the impact of peer support on the PA of female university students was higher than that of male university students. This study revealed the impact of exercise self-efficacy and peer support on university students' PA and suggested that exercise self-efficacy is the main path to promoting university students' PA, followed by peer support. Peer support could affect university students' PA not only through direct effects but also through indirect effects. This study also suggested that female university students' peer support has a higher impact on PA than male students. Therefore, when formulating physical exercise courses in the future, it is necessary to give more peer support to female university students to compensate for their low exercise self-efficacy.

Factors Affecting COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions among Patients Attending a Large HIV Treatment Clinic in Trinidad Using Constructs of the Health Belief Model

Persons living with HIV are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and understanding the factors influencing their decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine are crucial. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM), our study examined the role of psychological factors in predicting vaccine intention in patients with HIV. The underlying concept of the HBM is that behaviour is determined by personal beliefs about a disease, and access to strategies to decrease its occurrence. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted between August and September 2021 at an HIV clinic in Trinidad. Data on the HBM constructs, namely patient's beliefs about the perceived severity and susceptibility to COVID-19, their perceived benefits of taking the vaccine, and external cues to action, i.e., factors that may motivate them to take the vaccine, were collected. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations and whether the HBM components were predictors of vaccination intention. In this study, 59.9% of patients indicated their intentions to take the vaccine. Females (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.30-0.81) were less inclined to take the COVID-19 vaccine compared to males, while Indo-Trinidadian patients with HIV (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.26-15.3) were more inclined to take the vaccine compared to Afro-Trinidadians. Health beliefs such as having confidence in the vaccine (p = 0.001) and believing in its perceived benefits (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of vaccination intention. Patients who were confident about the vaccine were six times more likely to take the vaccine (OR 6.45, 95% CI 2.13-19.5) than persons who were not confident in it. Having adequate information about the vaccine or the knowledge of others who received the vaccine (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.03-2.11) were significant cues to action influencing their decision. Guided by the HBM, understanding patient's health beliefs is important in the design of tailored interventions to improve vaccine outcomes. The HBM may also be useful in the design of approaches to increase the uptake of critical HIV prevention, and treatment services.

Acceptance of the covid-19 vaccine based on health belief model

Introduction: Cases of coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease in the world have reached 1.8 million people. Cases of coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease in the world have reached 1.8 million people. The purpose of the study analyzed predictions of covid-19 vaccine acceptance based on sufferers and health belief models in Indonesia and Timor Leste. Method: Analytical research method with cross-sectional survey approach, the population is taken from community living at Surabaya Indonesia and Timor Leste as many as 250 respondents. Sampling was conducted in a consequent sampling in two regions at Surabaya Indonesia and Timor Leste. Data collection using google form, share through were respondents. Statistical analysis with rank spearmen. Result: the relationship of vulnerability perception with acceptance vaccine covid-19 and correlation coefficient showing a figure of 0.29. It refers to the value of 0.20- 0.40 is considered weak. Similarly, the relationship of severity perception with acceptance vaccine covid-19 obtained coefficient correlation 0.41 expressed strong. on the perception of cues doing actions with acceptance vaccine covid-19, there is a strong relationship, because value correlation coefficient 0.41. For the relationship of benefit perception with acceptance vaccine covid-19 get a weak result because the correlation coefficient of 0.23 in the category below 0.40 is considered weak. Conclusion: there are four components of Health Belief Model associated with Acceptance vaccine covid-19

Analysis of Community Behavioral Factors Influencing the Accuracy of Diarrhea Drug Use Using the Health Belief Model

Diarrhea can be caused by infectious diseases that lead to relatively high morbidity and mortality rates. Diarrhea refers to a continuous flow of bowel movements that occurs suddenly and exceeds the normal limit, usually occurring more than 3 times in 24 hours and lasting less than 14 days. The Health Belief Model (HBM) can be used to identify factors that influence individual health behaviors. This study aimed to analyze the behavioral factors of the community towards the appropriate use of diarrhea drugs in the city of Biak Papua using the HBM. This was an observational study with a cross-sectional approach. There were 78 respondents and the data were analyzed using the Spearman rank test. According to the findings, each of the HBM components that were examined had a significant influence on the accuracy of drug use in diarrhea patients (p &lt; 0.05). 15.2% of the respondents had a very precise accuracy, 46.2% had adequate accuracy, 24.4% had inaccurate accuracy, and 14.1% had very inaccurate accuracy. The correlation values of each perception were: perception of vulnerability = 0.549; perception of seriousness = 0.494; perception of obstacles = -0.371; perceived benefits = 0.226; and self-confidence = 0.513. It can be concluded that there is a relationship between behavior and accuracy in the use of diarrhea medicine in Biak City, Papua.&#x0D; Keywords: diarrhea, accuracy, Health Belief Model (HBM)

The Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model on Eye Care Practice of Type II Diabetic Patients in Southern Iran.

Background The ocular complication caused by diabetes is one of the most common reasons of blindness in the world. This study aimed to investigate the effect of educational intervention on eye care practice of type II diabetic patients based on health belief model (HBM) in Fasa city. Methods This study was a quasi-experimental study on 100 patients with type II diabetes referred to the diabetes center in Fasa city, Fars province, Iran, in 2019. Data were collected using a valid self-reported questionnaire including demographic variables, knowledge, and HBM (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action), and eye care performance (based on self-report) and the level of HbA1cof both groups were measured before and three months after the educational intervention. The experimental group received training in eight sessions; each session lasted for 50 to 55 minutes. In order to analyze the studied data, SPSS 22 software (SPSS Inc., IBM, Chicago, IL, USA), Chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test have been used. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge (P < 0.001) and HBM components (P < 0.001) in the experimental and control groups after intervention have a significant difference. After the training program, eye care performance in the experimental group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, HbA1c (P < 0.001) improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusions Planning and implementing education using the HBM to improve eye care performance in diabetic patients are very effective and beneficial. Moreover, educational programs based on health education and health promotion models for diabetic patients for preventing side effects caused by diabetes should be performed.

Hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study based on the health belief model

BackgroundPregnant women are at high risk for affliction by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination is a main strategy to prevent and manage the COVID-19 pandemic. However, hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccination (HACV) is a major public health threat and a major barrier to herd immunity. The aim of the study was to evaluate pregnant women’s HACV based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021–2022. Participants were 352 pregnant women selected from several healthcare centers in the north of Iran. Instruments for data collection were a demographic questionnaire, a COVID-19 Knowledge Questionnaire, a COVID-19 Health Belief Questionnaire, and a question about HACV. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of the study variables on HACV.ResultsThe rate of HACV was 42.61%. In the regression model, the three factors of perceived benefits (aOR: 0.700; 95% CI: 0.594 to 0.825), cues to action (aOR: 0.621; 95% CI: 0.516 to 0.574), and history of reproductive problems (aOR: 2.327; 95% CI: 0.1.262 to 4.292) had significant effects on HACV (P < 0.001).ConclusionHACV is highly prevalent among pregnant women. The perceived benefits and cues to action components of HBM have significant effects on pregnant women’s HACV, while the perceived threat component has no significant effect on it. HBM is a good model to explain HACV among pregnant women. Educational interventions are necessary to improve pregnant women’s awareness of the risks of COVID-19 for them and their fetus.

MEDIA AND HEALTH COMMUNICATION OF COVID-19 TOWARDS HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

The moment when WHO declared the COVID-19 disease as a pandemic, public immediately switch on to access the media for every bit of information regarding the disease. This is because media is the mediator for health communication between the government and the people. By understanding the risk and danger, the media role in creating health awareness could potentially help to improve better health outcomes. They have the capability to influence one’s health behaviours and response to the disease. Health communication is a key factor for saving lives in this pandemic. Thus, this review paper aims to assess the media’s health communication strategies of promoting preventive behaviours to COVID-19, and the associated role of Health Belief Model (HBM) in it. The purpose is to examine (a) the relationship between media and health communication strategies towards COVID-19 preventive behaviours based on HBM and the (b) predictors that engage in preventive behaviours. Utilizing HBM components is crucial for this study as it has been widely applied to study human-related behaviours. This research will allow identifying which predictors of HBM could possibly improve and make the public obey with their preventive behaviours. Moreover, the application of HBM could be a good tool to envision the exact preventive practices among Malaysian population, hence implementing the strategies in their platform for a better health outcome.

The Mediating Role of the Perceived COVID-19 Vaccine Benefits: Examining Israeli Parents’ Perceptions Regarding Their Adolescents’ Vaccination

Israel was among the first countries to initiate adolescent COVID-19 vaccination. As adolescent vaccination requires parental consent, we evaluated the factors associated with parents’ willingness to vaccinate their adolescents and their point of view regarding adolescents’ involvement in this decision. An online survey was completed by 581 parents of adolescents aged 16–18. The main independent variables included trust in the healthcare system, components of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and adolescents’ involvement in the decision, as well as background data, including demographics. Analysis included a multiple logistic regression and mediation examination. Parents reported that 446 adolescents (76.8%) have been or will soon be vaccinated against COVID-19, 12.2% chose not to vaccinate their child and 11% have not yet decided. Vaccination was significantly associated with HBM components and with adolescents’ involvement in the decision. The perceived vaccination benefits acted as a mediator in the association between parents’ COVID-19 perceived threat and adolescent vaccination, as well as between parents’ trust in the healthcare system and adolescent vaccination. Addressing vaccination benefits and barriers is pivotal in the attempt to enhance adolescents’ vaccination adherence. Considering the importance of adolescents’ involvement in the decision, addressing them directly may also be beneficial in improving vaccination rates.

The effect of nutrition education for cancer prevention based on health belief model on nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian women

BackgroundIn recent years, nutrition has received an increasingly important role in the etiology of cancer. Thus, public education about dietary factors associated with cancer risk or prevention could be an important intervention for cancer prevention, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of cancer is increasing rapidly and the access to care is limited. The age-standardized incidence of breast cancer was 35.8 among Iranian women in 2020. We aimed to study the effect of nutrition education on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranian women towards dietary factors related to cancer.MethodsIn this interventional study, 229 women from public health centers were recruited and underwent three 75-min sessions of education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Participants were interviewed by trained interviewers using a validated and reproducible nutrition-related cancer prevention knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire (NUTCANKAP) questionnaire designed based on the HBM. Nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practice of participants were assessed through this questionnaire. Three 24-h dietary recalls (one weekend and two nonconsecutive weekdays) were also collected before and one month after the intervention.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 45.14 years, and the mean BMI was 27.2 kg/m2. After the intervention, the participants had a higher intake of whole grain (p = 0.03) and a lower fat dairy (p = 0.009) and nuts (p = 0.04). However, the intake of high-fat dairy (p = 0.001) decreased after the intervention. We indicated significant differences in knowledge (p < 0.001) and nutritional practice scores (p = 0.01) after education. In addition, after the intervention, there were significant differences in the mean score of the HBM components, except for the perceived self-efficacy.ConclusionParticipation in a nutrition education program positively impacted the knowledge and nutritional practices linked to cancer prevention.

Ideology and COVID-19 Vaccination Intention: Perceptual Mediators and Communication Moderators

Widespread COVID-19 vaccination is critical to slow the spread of the illness. This study investigates how political ideology is associated with COVID-19 vaccine intention via perceived effectiveness of the vaccine, perceived side effects, and perceived severity of the illness, three key aspects of the Health Belief Model (HBM). This study also examines how partisan information flow moderates the effects of ideology on these three HBM components. Using survey data collected from two battleground states in the 2020 election (N = 1849), regression, mediation and moderation analyses revealed that conservatives were less likely to intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and this association was significantly mediated by perceived effectiveness and perceived side effects of vaccination, as well as perceived severity of COVID-19. In addition, partisanship of news sources and discussion partners were significant moderators of ideology’s association with perceived vaccine effectiveness, with conservatives viewing COVID-19 vaccination as less effective if they were frequently exposed to liberal news, and if they had frequent conversations with fellow conservatives. This suggests boomerang effects for cross-cutting mass media exposure, and reinforcement effect for interpersonal communication. Implications for efforts to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake are discussed, including tailored and targeted campaign strategies.

Discerning risk and uncertainty with “better insurance” – How animal health interventions for village chickens influence farmers’ perceptions on the prevention of poultry diseases

High mortality in young chicks and deaths from Newcastle disease (ND) are the two major constraints to village chicken production in low-and middle-income countries. A 12-month intervention study was conducted across 174 households in two townships of Central Myanmar, to reduce these chicken mortalities. Interventions included ND vaccinations of village chickens and improved chick management. Following the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework, 81 village chicken farmers involved in the intervention study were repeatedly surveyed before and after the interventions to determine the level of change in farmers’ knowledge about ND, perceptions about susceptibility and severity of ND virus infection, perceptions about benefits and barriers of ND vaccination, as well as farmers’ actions to improve the health status of their birds and to improve biosecurity and ND control measures. Marginal homogeneity tests were used to compare the level of change in farmers' matched responses to individual survey questions before and after the interventions. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was used to create latent variables describing farmers’ perceptions about susceptibility and severity of ND in their birds, farmers’ perceptions about the barriers and benefits of conducting ND vaccination as well as farmers' cues to action and self-efficacy before and after the interventions. Interventions resulted in 33% more chicks surviving, which resulted in increased sales of birds after they had reached a market age of 7 months. After the interventions, farmers acknowledged the value of protecting birds from ND to increase their income (p = 0.0002). Farmers were also more willing to overcome barriers to vaccination (i.e., ‘catching’ birds for ND vaccinations) after the interventions (p = 0.0388). Interestingly, after the interventions, fewer farmers were concerned about the risk of their birds becoming infected with ND virus through cock fights and non-confinement (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.00022, respectively), and farmers were more uncertain about the susceptibility of their birds to ND virus infection after the interventions. Surprisingly, farmers became ‘less active’ in ensuring good biosecurity practices after the interventions: fewer farmers were willing to observe disease signs in village chickens (p < 0.001) and fewer farmers buried dead birds (p < 0.001). Perceived susceptibility was the only HBM component that was significantly reduced (p = 0.014) after the interventions: thus, less farmers were concerned about ND even when using management practices associated with high risk of ND transmission (e.g., cook fights, no confinement). Our results highlight the importance of information campaigns and extension work to ensure farmers maintain a high level of biosecurity when animal health interventions are implemented.

The use of safety practices to reduce occupational injury among solid mineral miners in Southwest, Nigeria: an examination of the health belief model

Background: The mining industry requires measures at reducing the increasing incidence of occupational injury. The behavioural change towards the use of preventive and safety measures are required. The health belief model concept analyses behavioral change towards the use of preventive measures required to reduce occupational injury. The aim of the study was to use the health belief model to describe miners safety practices in Southwest, Nigeria.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a structured survey was employed. The consenting staff of the mining industry completed a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of significance was taken as p≤0.05.Results: A total of 73 (60.8%) of the respondents had various forms of occupational injury. The self-efficacy (χ2=4.232; p=0.040) had a statistically significant association with occupational injury and was also a predictor (OR=2.3; p=0.042; 95% CI=1.03-4.97) of injury. The factor that positively affects workers use of personal protective equipment was one health belief model component: self-efficacy (χ2=9.509; p=0.009). The socio-demographic factors associated with self-efficacy were age (χ2=4.135; p=0.042) of the respondents, gender (χ2=5.720; p=0.017) and monthly income (χ2=6.047; p=0.014).Conclusions: The conviction to successfully use the personal protective equipment have a better effect on increasing the rate of preventive behaviour among miners.