Predictors Of Preventive Behaviors Research Articles

Predictors of Preventive Behaviors Against the Common Acute Respiratory Viral Infections among Female Hairdressers in Urmia: Application of Extended Protection Motivation Theory

Predictors of Preventive Behaviors Against the Common Acute Respiratory Viral Infections among Female Hairdressers in Urmia: Application of Extended Protection Motivation Theory

COVID-19 fear mediates the relationship between perceived risk and preventive behaviors: the moderating role of perceived effectiveness

Objective To investigate COVID-19 perceived risk and fear as predictors of preventive behaviors among young adult undergraduates, guided by the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Design Participants (N = 174;M age = 21.94, SD = 3.24; 62% Hispanic, 79% women) were recruited from a large public university in Southern California and completed measures at two timepoints over a three-month period. Main outcome measures Participants self-reported COVID-19 risk, fear, preventive behaviors, and perceived effectiveness. Results Asymptotic moderated mediation indicated that COVID-19 fear fully mediated the association between perceived risk and preventive behaviors. Greater COVID-19 perceived risk was associated with more fear and, in turn, the engagement in more COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Furthermore, in partial support of the EPPM, participants’ perceived effectiveness of preventive behaviors moderated the relationship between fear and preventive behaviors where a significant conditional effect was found among only participants endorsing low levels of perceived effectiveness of preventive behaviors. Conclusion This study offers important implications for future health communication strategies by providing a network of associations that either attenuate or promote the engagement in risk-reducing preventive behaviors among young adult undergraduates. Findings highlight the importance of augmenting undergraduate knowledge on health promotion and illness prevention strategies.

Factors Associated With Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Saudi Arabians.

BackgroundA recent outbreak of COVID-19 which was initially reported in Wuhan City, China, has become a worldwide pandemic. This global public health threat drew the attention of the medical and scientific community to make the necessary research efforts to combat the spread of the virus. Predictors of preventive behaviors could be of considerable importance relevant to identifying high-risk groups to manage their behavior. We aimed to investigate the association between people's perception of COVID-19 adherence to preventive measures, susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, motivators, barriers, confidence, and information sources.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrolling 1,568 participants from WhatsApp groups, aged 16 years and above from March to April 2020 in Saudi Arabia. We prepared an online Arabic self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of (1) sociodemographic characteristics; (2) compliance to preventive measures, including the perception of susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, motivation, barriers to preventive measures, self-confidence; and (3) sources of COVID-19 information.ResultsOf the 1,568 participants, 60% (n = 1,004) were women, 54.1% (n = 459) were unmarried, and 80.2% (n = 1,258) had earned university degrees. Regarding compliance and perception toward preventive measures, 64% of participants washed hands with soap and water; 50% followed the cough etiquette; 17.5% avoided touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; and 34.6% never shook hands with others. Approximately 52.2%-69.7% avoided going to crowded places and wore facial masks as needed. In addition, 24.3% of people observed social distancing. However, 52.4% did not receive the annual flu vaccine. Approximately 83% used banknotes, 69.8% made online payments, and 51.8% avoided ATM/credit card use. The perception of susceptibility and the seriousness of COVID-19 infection accounted for 8.5% and 50% of participants, respectively. Perceived benefits and motivation reached more than 90%. Barriers for not being able to practice preventive measures were the fear of nasal swabs, forgetfulness, and negligence, which rated 39% and 66%, respectively. Confidence in practicing the preventive measures and distinguishing the symptoms of COVID-19 accounted for 80% and 60% of the participants, respectively. The most used sources to retrieve information were the Ministry of Health (MOH) news and reports and social media, representing 53.5% and 24.6%, respectively.ConclusionsDuring the early phase of the pandemic, people's perception of susceptibility was low, which resulted in a lack of awareness of some citizens to take the COVID-19 infection seriously. Thus, the benefits of preventive measures did not fully translate into practice. The current successful decline of COVID-19 cases should be accompanied by continuing health promotion and disease prevention programs utilizing all avenues and opportunities to remind people of scientific, religious, and cultural practices of handwashing, coughing etiquette. The persistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as facial masks, gloves, and, for frontline workers, shields and protective garments is necessary. Family physicians and teams should play a vital role in this battle.

Predictors of HIV-Preventive Behavior Changes Among HIV-Infected Patients in Iran: Application of the Extended Health Belief Model

Background: One mode of HIV transmission is through the high-risk behaviors among people who are HIV-positive. It is, therefore, exceedingly important to understand the factors predicting preventive healthy behaviors regarding HIV transmission in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the extended health belief model (HBM) in predicting preventive behavior changes among HIV-infected patients in Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the census sampling was applied and 139 HIV-positive patients in Saravan, Zarandieh, and Sarbaz cities of Iran were selected to participate in this study. In total, 131 participants completed and returned the anonymous self-administered questionnaires in 2016. The questionnaire included demographic questions, HBM (HBM) constructs, and the questions of Zimet social support. Data analysis was performed using SPSS18. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The HBM constructs with and without social support accounted for 62% and 56% of the behavior variance, respectively. In the first model (HBM construct alone), perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and benefits were the significant predictors. In the second model (HBM developed with social support), perceived barriers, social support, self-efficacy, and benefits were the better predictors of preventive behaviors, in sequence (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the extended model of HBM predicted preventive behaviors better than the original HBM did. However, more studies are needed to examine the efficacy of the extended HBM in predicting preventive behaviors. Keywords: AIDS; Health Belief Model; HIV; Social Support

Pooled Preventive Behaviors for Main Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases as a Double Burden of Public Health among Healthcare Students, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Non-communicable chronic disease is a life-treating disease that can be prevented but not cured. Reducing risks, promoting healthy life at early age reduces the burden of chronic diseases currently account for almost 60% of all deaths and 43% of the global burden of disease. As a result of an epidemiological transition attributed to increased urbanization, westernization, and globalization, many African countries are experiencing lifestyle change that results a “double burden” alongside to infectious diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type two diabetes are the most four prominent chronic diseases globally. Objective: To assess preventive behavior for main chronic diseases among Aman healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed in May 2015 at Aman Health Science College using health belief model. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 267students. An adapted self-administered questioner and calibrated measuring scale were used to collect data. A summery descriptive and, binary and multivariate logistic regression was applied to describe the functional predictors of preventive behavior. Ethical clearance of the study was obtained from institutional review committee. Result: Majority of the study participants 190 (73·9%) were females and the mean age was 20·24 year (± 2·42 SD). Majority of the respondent 214 (83·3%) were centrally obese. Independent predictor of preventive behavior for chronic disease were being college stay 3rd year [OR: 2·06, 95% CI: (1·08, 3·94)], being educated about chronic disease [OR: 2·99, 95% CI: (1·64, 5·45)], and perceived susceptibility and severity to chronic disease [OR: 2·97, 95% CI: (2·04, 5·38)], and [OR: 2·00, 95% CI: (1·12, 3·57)], respectively. Conclusion: the disparity level of preventive behavior for chronic disease was well explained by knowledge and perceived threat. Cognizant of this fact, I recommend that integrated behavioral change communication education emphasized on perceived treat should be strengthening to reduce the burden of life-treating chronic diseases.

Q fever in the Netherlands: public perceptions and behavioral responses in three different epidemiological regions: a follow-up study.

BackgroundOver the past years, Q fever has become a major public health problem in the Netherlands, with a peak of 2,357 human cases in 2009. In the first instance, Q fever was mainly a local problem of one province with a high density of large dairy goat farms, but in 2009 an alarming increase of Q fever cases was observed in adjacent provinces. The aim of this study was to identify trends over time and regional differences in public perceptions and behaviors, as well as predictors of preventive behavior regarding Q fever.MethodsOne cross-sectional survey (2009) and two follow-up surveys (2010, 2012) were performed. Adults, aged ≥18 years, that participated in a representative internet panel were invited (survey 1, n = 1347; survey 2, n = 1249; survey 3, n = 1030).ResultsOverall, public perceptions and behaviors regarding Q fever were consistent with the trends over time in the numbers of new human Q fever cases in different epidemiological regions and the amount of media attention focused on Q fever in the Netherlands. However, there were remarkably low levels of perceived vulnerability and perceived anxiety, particularly in the region of highest incidence, where three-quarters of the total cases occurred in 2009. Predictors of preventive behavior were being female, older aged, having Q fever themselves or someone in their household, more knowledge, and higher levels of perceived severity, anxiety and (self-) efficacy.ConclusionsDuring future outbreaks of (zoonotic) infectious diseases, it will be important to instil a realistic sense of vulnerability by providing the public with accurate information on the risk of becoming infected. This should be given in addition to information about the severity of the disease, the efficacy of measures, and instructions for minimising infection risk with appropriate, feasible preventative measures. Furthermore, public information should be adapted to regional circumstances.