Individual Health Beliefs Research Articles

Uptake of Digital Health Interventions for Cardiometabolic Disease in British South Asian Individuals: Think Aloud Study.

Digital health interventions (DHIs) could support prevention and management of cardiometabolic disease. However, those who may benefit most often experience barriers to awareness and adoption of these interventions. Among South Asian individuals, we evaluated user experience of DHIs for prevention and management of cardiometabolic disease, aiming to understand barriers and facilitators to initial and ongoing use. Among South Asian individuals recruited via primary care, community organizations, and snowball methods (n=18), we conducted "think-aloud" interviews using a reflective and reactive approach. Participants included nonusers, as well as those that used a range of DHIs as part of monitoring and improving their health. Participants were asked to think aloud while completing a task they routinely do in a familiar DHI, as well as while setting up and completing a search task in a novel DHI; they were encouraged to behave as if unobserved. Lack of cultural specificity was highlighted as reducing relevance and usability, particularly relating to dietary change. Preferred features reflected individual health beliefs and behaviors, digital skills, and trust in DHIs. For example, tracking blood glucose was considered by some to be positive, while for others it caused distress and anxiety. Similarly, some users found the novel DHI to be extremely simple to set up and use, and others grew frustrated navigating through initial interfaces. Many participants raised concerns about data privacy and needing to agree to terms and conditions that they did not understand. Participants expressed that with information and support from trusted sources, they would be interested in using DHIs as part of self-management. DHIs may support South Asians to prevent and manage cardiometabolic disease, but it is important to consider the needs of specific user groups in DHI development, design, and implementation. Despite motivation to make health changes, digital barriers are common. Cultural appropriateness and trusted sources (such as health care providers and community organizations) have roles in increasing awareness and enabling individuals to access and use DHIs.

Health beliefs of unmarried adult Saudi individuals toward safe marriage and the role of premarital screening in avoiding consanguinity: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Premarital screening (PMS) is an essential global measure that seeks to reduce the occurrence of specific genetic disorders and sexually transmitted diseases common in consanguineous marriages. Due to the lack of a nationwide study, this research was designed to comprehend how unmarried individuals perceive the risks and benefits of PMS. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed through different social media platforms, responses from the native adult population (18-49 years) Saudi Arabia was only included in the study. The questionnaire was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) to assessing seven different constructs including susceptibility, seriousness, benefits-, barriers-, & cues- to action, self-efficacy, and social acceptance. Data frequency was represented by mean and standard deviation; chi-square and t-tests were conducted for the comparison of independent and dependent variables. A multinomial logistic regression was used to predict factors influencing decisions related to PMS. 1,522 participants completed the survey, mostly 18-25 years old and most of them were women. The majority were single with 85 men and 1,370 women. Most participants (59.6%) believed their parents were related, while 40.5% did not. 122 respondents reported they had to marry within their tribe. Findings revealed significant correlations among all HBM themes, with varying strengths. Notably, a moderate positive relationship was found between the perception of benefits and cues to action, suggesting that enhancing the perceived benefits of PMS could facilitate safe marriage practices. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that demographic factors and health beliefs significantly influence individuals' intentions and behaviors toward PMS and safe marriage. The study concludes that by identifying and addressing barriers, and promoting positive social acceptance, PMS can significantly contribute to preventing genetic diseases and promoting safe marriage practices, although the cross-sectional design limits the establishment of causal relationships and further research is needed.

Exploratory study to characterise the individual types of health literacy and beliefs and their associations with infection prevention behaviours amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a longitudinal study.

During a global infectious disease pandemic such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), individuals' infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours are likely to differ depending on their health literacy and beliefs regarding the disease. To effectively promote infection prevention behaviours, it is necessary to enable information dissemination and risk communication that consider individuals' health literacy and beliefs. In this study, we exploratorily characterised segments based on individual health literacy and beliefs regarding COVID-19 among the Japanese during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, and investigated whether infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19 differed among these segments. In this study, we conducted two web-based longitudinal surveys in Japan (PHASE 1, 1-30 November 2020, 6,000 participants; PHASE 2, 1-31 December 2020, 3,800 participants). We characterised segments of the target population using cluster analysis on health literacy and beliefs regarding COVID-19 obtained in PHASE 1. We further investigated the associations between the clusters and infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19, obtained from PHASE 2. Five clusters were identified: 'Calm/hoax denial', 'Hoax affinity/threat denial', 'Minority/indifference', 'Over vigilance', and 'Optimism'. There were significant differences in infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of COVID-19 among the five clusters. The belief in susceptibility to infection, rather than affinity for hoaxes and conspiracy theories, was coherently associated with infection prevention/risk-taking behaviours and fear of infection across clusters. This study provides foundational knowledge for creating segment-specific public messages and developing interactive risk communication to encourage infection prevention behaviours.

The experience of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative lens on variability in compliance

Social distancing emerged as a key public health recommendation designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 prior to the development of vaccines. Studies have focused on individual health beliefs and political orientation to explain variability in levels of compliance. The current study draws on in-depth interviews with a subset of respondents who had participated in a larger longitudinal study (n=54) to explore ways in which individuals managed and navigated this unique period. Drawing on basic tenets of symbolic interaction and life course theories, analyses highlighted social influences and lifestyle contingencies that shaped beliefs and affected variability in this form of compliance.

Colorectal cancer screening status and its association with health belief model variables in a rural population

Abstract Background: Rural populations exhibit low colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, which may be a consequence of social determinants of health but may also result from individual health beliefs. This study aimed to explore the association between key health belief model (HBM) variables and CRC screening status in a rural Midwest population. Methods: One hundred thirty six people participated in this cross-sectional study. A survey instrument was developed to capture demographic information and measure the following HBM variables: perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy beliefs associated with CRC screening, and knowledge associated with CRC. Results: The response rate for the study was 17.6%. The most endorsed (28.5%) barrier to CRC screening was fear of something going wrong. The most endorsed (86.5%) benefit of CRC screening was confidence that privacy and confidentiality would be protected. There were significant differences (P < .01) in means for perception of barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy according to CRC screening status. In a model which included perception of barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy, only perceived barriers made a unique, significant (P < .05) contribution (OR = 0.823 [0.706–0.958]) in predicting CRC screening status. Conclusions: Key HBM variables, perception of barriers, benefits, and self-efficacy seem to be important factors associated with CRC screening in rural populations and may be appropriate targets for interventions to increase CRC screening.

Developing a survey instrument to assess flood health beliefs among residents of river flood zones in the Heartland.

Flooding represents a significant health risk to residents of states bordering the Missouri and Missis-sippi Rivers. In Nebraska and Iowa, nearly 280,000 individuals live in floodplains that put them at higher risk for expe-riencing a flood. In Nebraska, 8.60 percent of residents live within floodplains, while in Iowa, 3.83 percent of residents live in floodplains.1 Flooding poses immediate risks including injury and loss of life, but it additionally threatens long-er-term impacts due to increased exposure to environmental health risks and damage to physical and social infrastruc-ture.2,3 Health education interventions depend on risk communication based on accurate knowledge of the health beliefs of at-risk individuals. This paper outlines the development of a survey instrument designed to solicit flooding health beliefs of individuals living in river flood zones. This study developed the survey instrument through a series of revisions designed to increase the con-struct validity of the data collected. These steps included item sourcing and modification, expert review, and cognitive interviewing. Content for the initial survey draft was sourced from existing flood risk survey instruments and other standardized demographic surveys.4-8 This study then validated the instrument through sequential expert review and cognitive interviewing, collecting and conducting qualitative analysis of data collected through each phase. Themes from the expert review include (1) improvement of the user experience through revision of re-sponse categories and removal of unnecessary structural elements, (2) improvement of construct representativity through attentiveness to existing flood preparedness policies in the Heartland, and (3) streamlining of data analysis through revision and clarification of item prompts and responses. Themes from the cognitive interviewing include (1) the addition of items soliciting respondents' awareness of their flood risk as well as open-ended items soliciting respond-ents' existing personal flood plan components, (2) revision of existing demographic items to solicit respondents' esti-mated-rather than exact-household income, and (3) clarification of our definition of a flooding event. This study adapted existing survey items into an instrument designed to gather data on respondents' flood health beliefs and relevant demographic characteristics, producing a developed instrument that can be used to measure a population's flood health beliefs with reasonable evidence of validity. This instrument may be further tested by gathering baseline data and conducting psychometric testing to determine which items wield significant influence over respondents' decision to develop a personal or household flood plan.9 Additionally, this study provides a model for risk communication professionals seeking to adapt existing survey items to develop instruments designed to gather data on locally relevant health outcomes.10.

Design and Evaluation of the Internal Structure of Beliefs Affecting the Online Health Information Seeking Behavior Questionnaire among University Students

Background: Due to the fact that in the Iranian health information seeking literature, a questionnaire to examine the factors affecting the online health information seeking behavior of students and their health beliefs, was not found, the present study designed a questionnaire for this purpose, and approved its validity and reliability using exploratory and confirmatory factors analysis. Materials and Methods: The statistical population of the present study consisted of all students studying in all educational levels in public and private universities of Ahvaz during year 2019, the total number of which was 46054 people. According to Cochran's formula, 600 students were selected for the research sample. The instrument used in the present study was a questionnaire. The questionnaire was a combination of 36-item questionnaire base on Mo, Sheen and Cohen and Deng, Liu and Hinz research questionnaires. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by three methods: the use of scientific articles, factor analysis and its reliability calculated by use of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and LISREL software. Results: By performing explanatory factor analysis, the variables affecting online search for health information were categorized and renamed into ten factors: Trust in quality and efficiency, Useful intention, Self-efficacy, Cognitive values, Perceived severity, Perceived anxiety, Perceived sensitivity, Perceived barriers, Individual health beliefs, and Social values. Then these factors were investigated using confirmatory factor analysis. Conclusion: Examination of the standardized coefficients in the obtained structural model showed that almost all factor loads have the desired value.

Contexts, beliefs and health behaviour: Are individuals who engage in risky sexual behaviour likely to wear facemasks against COVID-19?

Beside age, underlying comorbidities and availability of sanitation facilities, individual health beliefs and behaviour are critical in combating the sustained prevalence of Covid-19. Behaviour has, however, been shown to be consistent but could be context- dependent based on the individual’s beliefs. To investigate whether or not individuals’ protective behaviour against coronavirus is associated with their behaviour in a previous health context. Facemask usage and engagement in risky sexual behaviour (RSB) were employed as corollaries of Covid-19 protective behaviour and a previous health context respectively. Data on them and other sociodemographic correlates of health behaviour were collected on 522 Nigerians via a web-based survey. The data were analyzed using frequency, Chi Square and Binary Logistics Regression. About 31% of the population wore facemasks in public, 48.1% believed Covid existed and was severe, and 31.6% had engaged in RSB. Individuals who engaged in RSB had lower odds of wearing facemasks in public in both the general population and across the rural-urban divide. The relationship was, however, only statistically significant (OR:0.642, p<0.05) in the adjusted regression model. Other significant determinants of facemask use were gender, place of residence, employment status and beliefs about Covid. The similarity of individual beliefs and behaviours in different health contexts provides an opportunity to model behaviour change communication policies for preventing and combating the spread of coronavirus and other infectious diseases.

577 Expanding Outpatient Burn Therapy Services to Address Social Determinants of Health

IntroductionOccupational and Physical Therapist provide acute services to burn-injured patients and continue treatment well into their functional recovery for mobility, strengthening, scar management, contracture prevention and return of independence. Unfortunately, we recognized that patients encountered obstacles when attempting to access these services in the outpatient setting. It was evident that these impediments frequently coincided with social determinants of health (SDOH). According to Healthy People 2020, SDOH represent the cumulative influences of individual, cultural, community and societal attributes on health and quality-of-life. Self-pay patients accounted for 12% of clinic patients. However, patients with coverage were not always receiving adequate therapy due to lack of burn knowledge among community-based therapist. By expanding outpatient burn clinic services, we are better positioned to meet the needs of all burn-injured patients in our community.MethodsA plan was outlined to increase the presence of Occupational and Physical Therapy (OT/PT) in the outpatient burn clinic. Pertinent literature was reviewed, and a presentation was developed to establish need and outline a model for integration of services. The inpatient OT/PT department managers collaborated with the Burn Director and Burn APRN on projecting staffing and equipment needs. Multidisciplinary cost analysis was completed. Guidelines for outpatient burn rehabilitative therapy staffing and a description of services were developed.ResultsAfter much collaboration and effort, and with community support, our PT/OT inpatient burn staff provide rehabilitative therapy to all patients attending outpatient burn clinic two days weekly. Additionally, educational material, hands on range of motion training and free new and donated compression garments are readily available during all four burn clinics weekly. The new outpatient burn clinic opened in 2021, equipped with two large showers and a designated therapy room, ready to wear compression garments, putty, and assistive devices designed to further support burn recovery. Attendance for burn outpatient visits increased significantly from 2015 to 2018.ConclusionsTransportation, childcare, employment restrictions, individual health and wellness beliefs, lack of funding and access to technology represent examples of blockades to healthcare care. This multidisciplinary effort increased the availability and scope of rehabilitative services in the outpatient burn clinic patient, allowing patients to receive comprehensive burn wound care and rehabilitative therapy in one location to promote healing, manage pain, improved function, maximizes independence and reintegrate into their family and community.

The Relationship between Health Belief Model Applications with Smoking Quitting Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Smoking is a habit of smoking cigarettes that is carried out in daily life, cigarettes are also a necessity that cannot be avoided for people who have a tendency to cigarettes. HBM is a model of individual health beliefs in determining the actions to be taken and is explained as a concept formulated with the aim of understanding why individuals do or do not perform various healthy behaviors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of effectiveness of the Health Believe Model (HBM) application in the decision to quit smoking. Subjects and Method: This article was compiled with a systematic review and meta-analysis study. This study uses the PICO Model. The meta-analysis study was conducted by searching for articles from databases in electronic form including PubMed, Springer Link, Elsevier and Google Scholar. "Health Belief Model Application", or "Quit Smoking Behavior" or "Perceived Suscepti­bility" and "Perceived Severity". The inclusion criteria for this study were full articles using a cross-sectional study, with the publication year 2014-2021. Analysis of articles in this study using RevMan 5.3 . software. Results: A total of 12 cross-sectional studies from Asia, and Africa were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis. The data collected showed that high perceived vulnerability increase 2.11 times to smoking quitting behavior compared with low perceived vulnerability, but its statistically not significant (OR= 2.09; 95% CI= 0.81 to 5.37; p= 0.130), and high perceived severity increase 1.43 times to smoking quitting behavior compared with low perceived severity (OR= 1.43; 95% CI= 0.57 to 3.58; p= 0.450), increase 2.11 times to smoking quitting behavior compared with low perceived vulnerability, but iw was statistically not significant. Conclusion: Perceived vulnerability, and perceived severity was not statistically significant in smoking quitting behavior. Keywords: health belief model, smoking qutting behavior, perceived vulnerability, perceived severity. Correspondence: Gadis Nur Anggreani. Study Program of Public Health, Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Central Sulawesi. Email: anggreanigadis@gmail.com. Mobile: +6281335205131. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2022), 07(03): 170-181 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2022.07.03.01

Introducing an Integrated Model of Adults' Wearable Activity Tracker Use and Obesity Information-Seeking Behaviors From a National Quota Sample Survey.

BackgroundResearch from multiple perspectives to investigate adults’ use of wearable activity-tracking devices is limited. We offer a multiperspective model and provide empirical evidence of what leads to frequent usage of wearable health technologies from a large, nationally representative survey sample.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore factors affecting the use of wearable activity-tracking devices among health consumers from the perspectives of individual health beliefs (perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy) and information-seeking behaviors.MethodsOur Integrated Model of Wearable Activity Tracker (IMWAT) use and proposed hypotheses were validated and tested with data collected from a telephone survey with a national quota sample. The data were analyzed using a variety of statistical techniques, including structural equation analysis.ResultsThe sample comprised 2006 participants. Our results showed that the perceived benefits of physical activity, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy toward obesity were significant predictors of information-seeking behaviors, which, in turn, mediated their effects on the use of wearable activity trackers. Perceptions of obesity severity directly promoted wearable device usage.ConclusionsThis study provided a new and powerful theoretical model that combined the health beliefs and information-seeking behaviors behind the use of wearable activity trackers in the adult population. The findings provide meaningful implications for developers and designers of wearable health technology products and will assist health informatics practitioners and obesity prevention communicators.

Relationship Between Individual Health Beliefs and Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Physical Activity Among Cancer Survivors: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe diet and physical activity (PA) behaviors and health beliefs among cancer survivors and identify potential differences between adolescent and young adult (AYA) and adult/older cancer survivors. Methods: Cancer survivors (n = 1864) participating in the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) provided responses regarding diet and PA and selected health beliefs related to general health and cancer (self-efficacy, attitudinal belief, normative belief, risk belief, intention, and self-regulation). Health belief associations with diet and PA were assessed using adjusted logistic regression models, and multiple linear regression was used for a computed Modified American Cancer Society Adherence score (0-10, higher score indicates higher adherence to recommendations); age at diagnosis was evaluated as a potential effect modifier. Results: Health behaviors between AYA and adult/older were not significantly different; a greater percent of AYA met fruit and resistance PA recommendations. Higher health self-efficacy was associated with meeting aerobic PA recommendations (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71; confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.13-2.60; p = 0.01). Higher intention was inversely related to meeting vegetable recommendation (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35-0.97; p = 0.04). Self-regulation was associated with higher odds of meeting each recommendation. Self-efficacy and self-regulation were associated with greater adherence (β = 0.52 ± 0.16, p = 0.001; β = 1.21 ± 0.24, p < 0.0001, respectively). Age at diagnosis was not an effect modifier. Conclusion: Health behaviors and beliefs among AYA and adult/older are similar. Self-efficacy and self-regulation through engagement with a mobile app support adoption of diet and PA recommendations among HINTS respondents. Future interventions should consider mechanisms to promote self-efficacy and self-regulation to maximize diet and PA behaviors in cancer survivors.

A Social Marketing Intervention to Improve Treatment Adherence in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

This research explores if a social marketing intervention model based on social representations theory and the health belief model can generate changes regarding treatment adherence and improve patient self-efficacy. As a pilot, a test–retest field quasi-experiment was designed to evaluate the intervention model with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients of families with 8- to 17-year-old children. The intervention model was designed to clarify misconceptions, increase awareness of the benefits of following doctors’ treatments and improve patients’ self-efficacy. In-depth interviews were carried out to gain a richer understanding of the intervention’s effect. The pilot intervention generated a favourable change in shared misconceptions, individual health beliefs, glycaemic control and declared treatment adherence. This paper contributes to the social marketing literature and public health by providing early support for the theoretical assumptions regarding the role of shared misconceptions in physiological and behavioural outcomes for patients with T1DM. Contrary to previous studies, instead of only focusing on individual beliefs, this study incorporates shared beliefs between patients and caregivers, generating more comprehensive behavioural change.

Uptake and effectiveness of a tailor-made online lifestyle programme targeting modifiable risk factors for dementia among middle-aged descendants of people with recently diagnosed dementia: study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial (Demin study)

IntroductionDescendants of patients with dementia have a higher risk to develop dementia. This study aims to investigate the uptake and effectiveness of an online tailor-made lifestyle programme for dementia risk...

Gambaran Penerapan Health Belief Model Pada Balita Stunting Di Wilayah Puskesmas Minggir Sleman

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The Health Belive Model (HBM) is a model of individual health beliefs in determining the attitude of doing or not doing health behavior. The Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is a priority area for stunting intervention. Stunting is a chronic condition that describes stunted growth due to long-term malnutrition. Stunting is associated with an increased risk of illness and death and stunted mental and motor growth. Delayed motor development results in children not being able to perform developmental tasks appropriate to their age group.&#x0D; The purpose of this study was to determine the description of the application of the Health Belive Model to stunting toddlers in the Minggir Community Health Center.&#x0D; This research method using analytic survey using cross sectional approach. The variables of this research are perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, coes to action, self efficacy. The sample of this research is mothers who have babies and stunting toddlers.&#x0D; The results of the analysis show that there is a significant relationship. Statistically obtained the results of perceived vulnerability (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.06-1.62; p &lt;0.01), perceived severity (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.08-1 , 67; p &lt;0.01), and other independent variables do not have a significant relationship, namely the variable perception of prevention, self-efficacy, and Cues to Action. Together, all the independent variables in this logistic regression model are able to explain or predict the incidence of stunting in children under five.&#x0D; This research is expected to reduce stunting rates and empower mothers to pay more attention to the development of their toddlers and to prevent malnutrition in children under five.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Application of Mindfulness-Based Health-Promotion Behavior in People With Chronic Diseases: SMILE Strategy

Chronic diseases often impact the quality of life of the patient, causing complications and increased mortality and medical costs. The World Health Organization proposed applying mindfulness as an important strategy to help transform the situation faced by chronic disease cases and to promote their mental flexibility and adaptability. The author reviewed the related literature on mindfulness and introduces the "SMILE" strategy in this article. This strategy includes several stages, including 1) Starting where I am, 2) Motivating patients to become self-aware of the experience of self and internal and external environment interactions, 3) Developing individual health beliefs, 4) Learning mindfulness-based health-promotion behaviors, 5) Evaluating the efficacy of mindfulness-based health-promotion behaviors and self-regulation. SMILE is a powerful strategy with the potential to promote patient wellbeing, acceptance of the need to coexist with chronic disease, and freedom. Mindfulness is an abstract concept. This article provides a reference on mindfulness intervention for healthcare providers.

Using ’White Flags’ to categorize socio-cultural aspects in chronic pain

Abstract Issue Persistent chronic pain is a major medical and health economic problem. To assess the individual pain situation, the classification of various factors (flags) has been established. Description of the problem Structural biomechanical factors are classified as “red flags”. Psychological or behavioral factors are summarized as “yellow flags”, psychiatric and mental illness as “orange flags”. Both last flags are important for planning adequate therapies or rehabilitation, as well as for decisions to prognoses and tailored reintegration programs. An extension of the flag model was achieved by naming personal factors at workplace as “blue flags”, and “black flags”, if there is a restriction for returning to work. All these groups do not consider other important reasons for unsuccessful rehabilitation or failed reintegration. Results In these cases, often described as ’therapy-refractory’, clients often exhibit a special subjective understanding of illness that reacts neither to psychological interventions nor to behavioral therapies. These include individual beliefs based, for example, on cultural socialization, religious education, or spiritual experiences. Since such individual mental illnesses are culturally ideologically or religiously justified, they should be classified in a separate group called ’white flags’. Lessons The advantages of categorizing sociocultural aspects separately from other flag classifications are avoidance of unnecessary therapies, including surgery,prevention of iatrogenisation,prevention of legal disputes. It is important to realize that only health restrictions for insurance benefits can be taken into account and that individual socio-cultural circumstances or health convictions are not evaluated. Main messages: A classification of ’white flags’ could contribute to a better classification of pain which are not accessible to various therapies and reduce reservations and misunderstandings by intercultural communication approaches. Key messages For medical professions it is important to recognize, that only health inabilities are taken into account for insurance compensation and not individual socio-cultural circumstances or health beliefs. In Future classifying ’white flags’ could help to properly assess persistent pain conditions.

The effect of knowledge and health beliefs about colorectal cancer on screening behaviour.

To determine the effect of the knowledge and health beliefs of individuals about colorectal cancer on their screening behaviour. Colorectal cancer ranks third among the most common cancers both worldwide and in Turkey. Colorectal cancer plays an important role in cancer mortality but can be prevented by promoting healthy behaviour and participation in early screening programmes. This descriptive study was completed with 114 women and 121 men. The study data were collected using the 'Data collection form' and 'Health Belief Model Scale for Protection from Colorectal Cancer'. Potential risk factors were investigated using logistic regression analyses. The AGREE checklist was completed. The colorectal cancer screening tests were known by 23.0% of the subjects and 17% had undergone one of these tests. The score medians obtained from the confidence-benefit subscale of Health Belief Model Scale for Protection from Colorectal Cancer were found to be significantly higher in those who had undergone colorectal cancer screening. Logistic regression analysis revealed that having knowledge of the relevant tests was associated with undergoing colorectal cancer screening. Having knowledge on colorectal cancer screening tests increases the relevant confidence-benefit perception regarding the tests and the behaviour of participating in screening programmes. Regular training on colorectal cancer and early diagnosis should therefore be provided by healthcare professionals to both women and men aged 50-70years to increase the rate of undergoing early screening tests. Increasing the rate of early screening is among the responsibilities of health workers working in primary health centres. Therefore, problems that prevent individuals from participating in these programmes need to be identified. In this way, health workers will develop suggestions and initiatives that change the individual's health beliefs and increase motivation.

Diabetes Management in Resource Poor Countries

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diabetes status and health beliefs of individuals living in villages in Northeast Guatemala. Our study explored current understanding of diabetes in the Peten region of Guatemala concerning the cause, treatment, and effect of type two diabetes by engaging and interviewing 21 diabetic patients in a qualitative study. Interview results showed that among study participants, the cause of diabetes was often “unknown”. With an average of 3.5 years of education among survey participants and many reporting being mostly or fully illiterate, it is likely that health education status plays a major role in their concept of diabetes. The majority of responses claimed some form of “asusto”—defined as a negative emotional event causing physical maladies—to have caused their diabetes. Patient surveys revealed that Gods and prayer ranked the highest among factors controlling their diabetes, with medications being seen as a tertiary control factor, as seen in Figure 1. Only two study participants (2/21) ranked diet/exercise as more impactful on their diabetes than gods/prayer. Survey responses also show that most individuals agree that taking their medications is important, with the most common reported barriers to control of their blood sugar being cost of medications and lifestyle barriers. Altogether, lack of education and resource availability appears to be the most heavily implicated reasons why uncontrolled diabetes is on the rise in Guatemala—it is clear that health education needs to be a major part of therapeutic efforts in this region.

Health checkup behavior and individual health beliefs in older adults.

Despite Japan being a developed nation, half of its older population does not attend regular health checkups. The aim of the present study was to examine the individual health beliefs and personal recommendations that strongly influence health checkup attendance among community-dwelling older adults. In 2013, questionnaires were sent to 5401 community-dwelling older adults who were not receiving long-term institutionalized care. The response rate was 94.3%. We analyzed response data from 4984 older adults using multiple imputation to manage missing data. Participation in health checkups was defined as having undergone at least one checkup in the past 3 years, and non-participation as having attended no checkups in this period. The participants' mean age was 75.8 years, and 57.9% were women. The adjusted odds ratio of health checkup participation ranged from 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.61) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.34-1.95) for positive individual health beliefs about health checkups, and was 2.21 (95% CI: 1.51-3.24) and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.17-2.08) for recommendations to participate from family and neighbors, respectively. All odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, driving by oneself to daily shopping or clinic, paid work, method of response, internal medical therapy, polypharmacy, serious disease, periodic blood test, frailty and neighborly relationships. The present findings suggest that both individual and community approaches might be effective in promoting participation in health checkups among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 338-351.