Preventive Health Behaviors Research Articles

Effects of Parental Involvement in a Preschool-Based Eye Health Intervention Regarding Children’s Screen Use in China

In this digital era, young children spend a considerable amount of time looking at telephone, tablet, computer and television screens. However, preventative eye health behavior education could help avoid and relieve asthenopia. The effects of parental influence on their children’s eye health behavior through the preschool eye health education intervention program were examined. The Health Belief Model was used to develop parental involvement strategy and eye health curriculum. The study was conducted in a large public preschool with five branches in Beijing, China. A total of 248 parent–child pairs participated in the baseline and follow-up surveys, of which 129 were in the intervention group and 119 were in the comparison group. The generalized estimating equation analysis results indicated that parental involvement in preschool-based eye health intervention on screen uses had positive influence on parents’ eye health knowledge, cues to action, and parenting efficacy. The intervention program also had positive effects on the increasing level of children’s eye health knowledge, beliefs, cues to action, self-efficacy, and behaviors. The results supported the implementation of a preschool-based eye health intervention program with parental involvement, which could potentially enhance children’s and parents’ eye health beliefs and practices.

Invincibility threatens vaccination intentions during a pandemic.

Some people feel they are invincible to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). They believe that being infected with COVID-19 would not be a serious threat to their health. While these people may or may not be correct in their personal risk assessment, we find that such perceived invincibility may undermine community efforts to achieve herd immunity. Multi-level analysis of survey respondents across 51 countries finds that perceived invincibility from COVID-19 is negatively associated with believing there is a need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in one’s community (n = 218,956) and one’s willingness to inoculate against the disease (n = 71,148). These effects are most pronounced among individuals from countries lower in cultural collectivism (e.g., USA, UK, Canada) and highlight the need to consider the interplay of individual and cultural factors in our efforts to understand, predict, and promote preventative health behavior during a pandemic.

Factors related to preventive COVID-19 behaviors using health belief model among general population: a cross-sectional study in Iran

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become one of the biggest challenges to global health and economy. The present study aimed to explore the factors related to preventive health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Khuzestan Province, South of Iran, using the Health Belief Model (HBM).MethodsThe present cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between July 2020 and September 2020. A total of 1090 people from Khuzestan province participated in the study. The data collection method included a multistage cluster sampling method with a random selection of provincial of health centers. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic information and HBM constructs (e.g., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, hierarchical multiple linear regression, and SPSS version 22.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 35.53 ± 11.53, more than half of them were female (61.6%) and married (65.3). The results showed that 27% of the variance in the COVID-19 preventive behaviors was explained by HBM constructs. The regression analysis indicated that female gender (β = 0.11), perceived benefits (β = 0.10), perceived barriers (β = − 0.18), external cues to action (β = 0.25), and internal cues to action (β = 0.12) were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors (p < 0.05).ConclusionDesigning an educational intervention on the basis of HBM might be considered as a framework for the correction of beliefs and adherence to COVID-19 behavior. Health information campaigns need to (1) emphasize the benefits of preventive behaviors including avoiding the likelihood of getting a chronic disease and complications of the disease, (2) highlight the tips and advice to overcome the barriers (3) provide cues to action by means of showing various reminders in social media (4) focusing on adoption of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors, especially among men.

Preventive and risky health behavior of Swiss university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundYoung adults are not considered a risk group for contracting COVID-19, but they are disproportionately affected by pandemic containment measures compared to other age groups. University students were confronted with abrupt changes both in their personal and academic lives. The “Health in Students during the Corona pandemic” study (HES-C) investigated the health and health behavior, concerns and views in students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. In the current analyses, we focused on COVID-19 related preventive behaviors, alcohol and marijuana consumption during the pandemic.MethodsAll students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (N = 12,429) were invited to a voluntary repeated cross-sectional open cohort survey which took place from the April 3 2020 (T0) to January 25 (T5), covering two university semesters with overall 6 surveys. Participation rates varied from T0 20% to T5 13%.ResultsWhile overall adherence to containment measures was high, men yielded lower adjusted odds (OR; 95%-CI) of adherence regarding the following measures: social distancing (0.68; 0.53-0.87), non-utilization of public transport (0.74; 0.56-0.97), 5-person limit for social gatherings (0.47; 0.35-0.64) and the stay at home rule (0.64; 0.51-0.82). In addition to gender, factors associated with adherence were information source and perceived susceptibility to the virus. Out of 80% who reported having drunk alcohol during the last 30 days at T0, 31% engaged at least once in binge drinking (>5 beverages) and 18% consumed more than usual. Marijuana was consumed by 11%, of which 27% reported higher use during the lock-down than before. Longitudinal data on risk behavior and factors associated with risk behavior and changes in behavior are currently being analyzed and will be presented.ConclusionsPublic health communication targeting university students should not only address pandemic related preventive behavior but also risk behavior during the pandemic.Key messages The pandemic has led to increased risky health behavior among certain students.Public health communication targeting university students should not only address pandemic related preventive behavior but also risk behavior during the pandemic.

Do it for others! The role of family and national group social belongingness in engaging with COVID-19 preventive health behaviors

COVID-19 is an unprecedented threat and an effective response requires a collective effort: engagement in preventive health behaviors, even from people at low risk. Previous research demonstrates that belongingness to social groups can promote prosocial, preventive health behaviors. The current research tests the effects of belongingness to two types of groups, intimate (family) and social category (nation), on intentions to comply with preventive health behaviors and reasons for these behaviors. We conducted three studies using French participants at low risk of grave effects from COVID-19 (total N = 875). In Study 1, across three time periods, belongingness was correlated with greater intentions to comply with preventive behaviors when these behaviors were not enforced by law. In Study 2, we experimentally manipulated threat to belongingness (vs. no threat). When belongingness was threatened, participants were less concerned with protecting vulnerable people. Closeness to family predicted preventive behavior intentions and both self-centered and prosocial reasons for these behaviors, regardless of condition. National identification buffered the negative effects of the threat to belongingness condition on preventive behavior intentions. In Study 3, we experimentally primed thoughts of belongingness to family vs. nation vs. control condition. We found greater intentions to engage in preventive behaviors and greater concern with protecting oneself and close relatives in the family condition. In summary, belongingness to one's family promotes preventive behavior intentions and the reasons given are to protect both oneself and others. Self-reported (but not primed) national identification can be related to prevention behavior intentions under certain conditions.

Interplay between the genetics of personality traits, severe psychiatric disorders and COVID-19 host genetics in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, with its impact on our way of life, is affecting our experiences and mental health. Notably, individuals with mental disorders have been reported to have a higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. Personality traits could represent an important determinant of preventative health behaviour and, therefore, the risk of contracting the virus. We examined overlapping genetic underpinnings between major psychiatric disorders, personality traits and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to explore the genetic correlations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility with psychiatric disorders and personality traits based on data from the largest available respective genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In two cohorts (the PsyCourse (n = 1346) and the HeiDE (n = 3266) study), polygenic risk scores were used to analyse if a genetic association between, psychiatric disorders, personality traits and COVID-19 susceptibility exists in individual-level data. We observed no significant genetic correlations of COVID-19 susceptibility with psychiatric disorders. For personality traits, there was a significant genetic correlation for COVID-19 susceptibility with extraversion (P = 1.47 × 10-5; genetic correlation 0.284). Yet, this was not reflected in individual-level data from the PsyCourse and HeiDE studies. We identified no significant correlation between genetic risk factors for severe psychiatric disorders and genetic risk for COVID-19 susceptibility. Among the personality traits, extraversion showed evidence for a positive genetic association with COVID-19 susceptibility, in one but not in another setting. Overall, these findings highlight a complex contribution of genetic and non-genetic components in the interaction between COVID-19 susceptibility and personality traits or mental disorders.

Readability, Suitability, and Content Evaluation of Initial, Online Masking Guidance from U.S. States during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Background With the introduction of face mask orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the general public may have turned to their state government or health department’s website to find information on face coverings. Purpose This study seeks to evaluate the readability, suitability, and content of masking guidance on state government or state health department websites from U.S. states with face mask orders during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Each state’s education on face coverings (n = 41) was assessed using three readability indices and the Suitability Assessment for Materials tool for suitability. A novel masking guidance- specific score was developed to evaluate the content on face coverings. Results Masking guidance varied in literacy demand, format, and content. The mean readability surpasses the recommended grade level and is too difficult for most Americans to understand. The mean SAM score is considered “adequate” for suitability, and over half of the states’ masking guidance contained all seven points of information related to face coverings. Translation to Health Education Practice During a public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, readable, suitable, and consistent online information is vital in encouraging adherence to public health orders and promoting other preventive health behaviors.

Risk Communication Through Health Beliefs for Preventing Opisthorchiasis-Linked Cholangiocarcinoma: A Community- Based Intervention in Multicultural Areas of Thailand.

Objective:This research aimed to study the effects of the risk communication program through the Cambodian folk song to prevent Opisthorchiasis-linked cholangiocarcinoma (OV-CCA). Methods:We conducted the quasi-experimental research between August and December 2017 in the Cambodian communities, one-fourth of ethnic minorities residing in multicultural areas of Sisaket Province, Thailand. The samples consisted of 94 equally people divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group included 47 people at-risk of OV-CCA who received the program for 12 weeks, while the control group received regular services. We collected data by using a questionnaire with a reliability of 0.93. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results:The study indicated that the socioeconomic information of both groups was not different. The mean scores of all issues (health beliefs, social support, and prevention behavior in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group with statistical significance. Closer inspection showed that the mean difference of the health beliefs was 55.61 points (95%CI: 52.39-57.42, p<0.001), social support was 9.09 points (95%CI: 8.12-10.05, p<0.001), and prevention behavior was 6.38 points (95%CI: 5.43-7.33, p<0.001). Conclusion:Through the Cambodian folk song, the risk communication program by applying the health beliefs and social support to prevent OV-CCA is beneficial for behavior modification in areas with similar cultures.

Leptospirosis in Si Sa Ket, Thailand: Incidence and Factors of Death during 2010-2019

Leptospirosis is an emerging public health problem in Thailand especially Si Sa Ket. The aims of this study were to determine the leptospirosis incidence and factors of death among leptospirosis patients in Si Sa Ket. This study was performed during 2010-2019 from the 506-surveillance report of leptospirosis to the Sisaket Provincial Public Health Office and the National Disease Surveillance System, Bureau of Epidemiology, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. The data was using the definition of leptospirosis patient for disease surveillance. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors of death. A total of 3,988 cases were reported from 22 districts, mainly in rural settings. The incidence rate for leptospirosis was 27.15 per 100,000 population. The dramatic phenomenal of epidemiological characteristics of leptospirosis in Si Sa Ket include a peak incidence in August and October in association with the rainy season. Seventy-four point eight percent of subjects were male, 24.5% were aged 45-54 years and 78.3% were agricultural workers. A total number of 86 deaths were registered in 19 districts. Mortality was higher in males (80.2%). The fatality rate was 2.16%. Significant factors of death found on multiple logistic regression analysis were agricultural workers (Adjusted OR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.15-5.49) and the duration of seeking for medical care &gt;3 days after onset (Adjusted OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.30-4.61). To reduce the burden disease, the promotion of preventive health behavior, early recognition and treatment of patients have been shown to reduce the severity of illness and death.

Health Literacy and Access to Care in Cancer Screening Among Korean Americans.

Background:Health literacy and access to care are critical facilitators for preventive health behaviors. After the passage of the Affordable Care Act in March 2010, little has been studied about how improved health insurance coverage has impacted the use of preventive health services among Korean Americans.Objective:The study assessed the impact of access to care, use of services, and health literacy on cancer screening among Korean Americans.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study of 377 Korean Americans age 18 years and older was conducted with a survey and convenient sampling in Texas.Key Results:Although 79% of the sample had health insurance, 32% had never visited a health care provider, and 14% were delayed in care in the past 12 months. Only 11.6% were confident to complete medical forms, and 69.5% had limited levels of confidence. Cancer screening compliance rates were: mammography (50.4% at age 40–54 years; 46.6% at age 55 years and older), a Pap smear (29.4% at age 21–29 years; 78.4% at age 30–65 years; 72.2% at age 66 years and older), and colorectal cancer screening at age 45 years and older (stool tests 15.1%; sigmoidoscopy 27%; colonoscopy 51.3%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that household income, gender, health insurance, and health literacy were significantly associated with self-reported cancer screening.Conclusions:Korean Americans who participated in this study are characterized by marginalized health literacy, underused health care services, and significantly lower cancer screening compliance than the goals of Healthy People 2020. The following interventions are suggested to improve health literacy and health insurance literacy on cancer screening: culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate education for the guidelines concordant with cancer screening, effective communication skills with health care providers, support for navigating the health care system, and development of internet- or social media-based health education programs to meet the preferred communication methods of this population. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2021;5(4):e310–e318.]Plain Language Summary:Despite having improved health insurance coverage, Korean Americans of this study have marginalized health literacy, limited health insurance literacy, low cancer screening compliance, and underused health care services. The results of this study suggest several strategies to improve health literacy and health insurance literacy for Korean Americans, which may also apply to other groups with similar barriers.

Age Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior

Abstract. Age is a critical risk factor for severe COVID-19. This is mirrored by older people showing preventive health behaviors more frequently. However, collective action across all age groups is necessary to reduce transmission. Therefore, this study assessed whether age differences are moderated by policy changes and whether policies further moderate the relationship between psychological determinants of behavior (risk perceptions and trust), age, and preventive behaviors. Risk perceptions, trust in institutions, self-reported frequency of preventive behaviors (mask-wearing, avoiding social gatherings), and demographics (e.g., age) were collected within the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO), a German serial cross-sectional survey. A total of 19,069 participants across 20 measurement points were included (online sample, quota-representative for Age × Gender and federal state in Germany; mid-April to the end of November 2020). Regression analyses showed that age differences in avoiding social gatherings and mask-wearing remained stable under different health policies but were further moderated by psychological variables. The introduction of stricter policies alone was not related to higher adoption rates of preventive behaviors, but it mitigated the effects of age and risk perceptions. Moreover, under mandatory policies, the correlation between trust in institutions and behaviors was amplified. The present research made a strong case for quality, targeted health, and risk communication. Without mandatory policies, the importance of preventive behaviors must be well understood to achieve high adherence – especially in young people who are threatened by the disease less directly.

EXAMINING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 PREVENTIVE HEALTH BEHAVIORS

Preventive health behaviors are defined as the behaviors undertaken to avoid getting sick and to minimize the effects of the illness. Preventive health behaviors that vary according to each illness are affected by different psychosocial variables. The aim of this study is to determine the psychosocial factors that affect preventive health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, for both COVID-19 patients and non-patients in Turkey, and examining the changes over time. The participants of the first wave study consisted of a total of 747 people, 372 (%48.8) of them were diagnosed with COVID-19 whereas 375 (%50.2) of them were not diagnosed with COVID-19. The second wave of the study consisted of a total of 515 participants, 264 (%51.3) of them were diagnosed with COVID-19, whereas 251 (%48.7) of them were not diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition to the Informed Consent Form; Socio-Demographic and Health Information Form and COVID-19 Preventive Health Behavior Questionnaire were given to volunteer participants via online survey link, with two months interval. As a result of the analyses, presence of chronic disease made a significant changes in the current level of adaptation to preventive health behavior for both groups. while being married and being over 46 years of age were other variables that made a significant difference in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. In addition, it was found that belief in the effectiveness of preventive health behaviors increased over time, regardless of the state of diagnosis. It is thought that the findings will guide health practices by identifying psychosocial factors affecting the preventive health behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic, and shed light on the researchers for the future studies. Keywords COVID-19, preventive health behavior, psychosocial factors

Conversation Breeds Compliance: The Role of Intergenerational Communication in Promoting Preventive Behaviors against COVID-19 among Middle-Aged Parents in China.

This study aims to explore and compare the influences of two crucial information channels used by middle-aged parents—media and their adult children—on their health knowledge, emotions and preventive behaviors against COVID-19, based on media exposure and the family communication patterns (FCP) theory. Parents of college students in Guangzhou, China were invited to participate in an online survey between February 10 and 24, 2020. A total of 193 respondents, aged between 40 and 65 years, completed the study questionnaire. Media exposure was a positive predictor of negative emotions, intergenerational discussions, and preventive behaviors among Chinese middle-aged parents. Conversation orientation was a positive predictor of scientific discussions and preventive behaviors, whereas conformity orientation was a negative predictor of knowledge, but a positive predictor of intergenerational discussions and negative emotions. Intergenerational discussions mediated the relationships between media exposure and preventive behaviors, as well as between FCP and preventive behaviors. Health communication efforts require the help of adult children as intergenerational communication serves as an important amplifier in terms of influencing the health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of middle-aged and elderly populations.

Texts don’t nudge: An adaptive trial to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in India

We conduct an adaptive randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a SMS-based information campaign on the adoption of social distancing and handwashing in rural Bihar, India, six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. We test 10 arms that vary in delivery timing and message framing, changing content to highlight gains or losses for either one’s own family or community. We identify the optimal treatment separately for each targeted behavior by adaptively allocating shares across arms over 10 experimental rounds using exploration sampling. Based on phone surveys with nearly 4,000 households and using several elicitation methods, we do not find evidence of impact on knowledge or adoption of preventive health behavior, and our confidence intervals cannot rule out positive effects as large as 5.5 percentage points, or 16%. Our results suggest that SMS-based information campaigns may have limited efficacy after the initial phase of a pandemic.

Interpersonal Communication Influence on Health-Protective Behaviors amid the COVID-19 Crisis

ABSTRACT The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has posed substantial threats to global public health. Individuals are extensively exposed to interpersonal sources of health information (e.g., family, friends, colleagues, physicians, and pharmacists). Interpersonal connections often encourage people to question or reinforce other sources of health information, which can affect their perceptions and behaviors. This study integrates research on how exposure to interpersonal health communication affects people’s risk perception and affective responses to influence health-protective behaviors such as health information seeking and adherence to protective measures. Findings from an online survey of U.S. adults (n = 488) demonstrated that risk perception and affective responses serve as behavioral motivation factors. The influences of cognitive and affective responses were greater to the extent that individuals believed the health-protective behaviors are beneficial. Our study illuminates how people engage in preventive health behaviors to protect themselves in the COVID-19 context and demonstrates the influence of interpersonal social networks in motivating such behaviors. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Psychometric Properties and Analysis of the Masculinity Barriers to Medical Care Scale Among Black, Indigenous, and White Men.

Non-Hispanic (NH) Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (Indigenous), and NH-White men have the highest colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates among all other racial/ethnic groups. Contributing factors are multifaceted, yet no studies have examined the psychometric properties of a comprehensive survey examining potential masculinity barriers to CRC screening behaviors among these populations. This study assessed the psychometric properties of our Masculinity Barriers to Medical Care (MBMC) Scale among NH-Black, Indigenous, and NH-White men who completed our web-based MBMC, Psychosocial Factors, and CRC Screening Uptake & Intention Survey. We conducted exploratory factor analysis on a sample of 254 men and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) on a separate sample of 637 men nationally representative by age and state of residence. After psychometric assessment, the MBMC scale was reduced from 24 to 18 items and from six to four subscales. NH-Black men’s mean scores were lowest on three of four subscales (Being Strong, Negative and Positive Attitudes) and highest on the Acknowledging Emotions subscale. Compared with both Indigenous and NH-White men, NH-Black men had significantly lower Negative Attitudes subscale scores and significantly higher scores on the Acknowledging Emotions subscale. Compared with both Indigenous and NH-Black men, NH-White men had significantly higher Being Strong and Positive Attitudes subscales scores. This study expands on previous research indicating that, among racialized populations of men, endorsement of traditional masculine ideologies influences engagement in preventive health behaviors. Our scale can be tailored to assess attitudes to screening for other cancers and diseases that disproportionately burden medically underserved populations.

Effect of an educational intervention based on health beliefs model adoption on pregnant women's knowledge and preventive health behaviours in relation to COVID-19

Effect of an educational intervention based on health beliefs model adoption on pregnant women's knowledge and preventive health behaviours in relation to COVID-19

Fear and COVID-19 Protective Behaviors among High School Students in Hamadan, Iran; Application of an Extended Parallel Process Model

Aims: Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the role of students in transmitting the infection has received special attention aiming at protecting the younger generation against COVID-19 and other known respiratory diseases. This research aimed to specify factors related to Covid-19 preventing behaviors in high school students. Instrument & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2852 students aged 13 to 18 in Hamadan in 2020. Participants were selected using the multistage cluster sampling method. The data were collected with a researcher-made EPPM questionnaire. Data were analyzed statistically by Stata 14.2 software using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Findings: The vast majority of students (67.02%) were in the danger control response phase. The response efficacy (77.3%) and perceived efficacy (75.3%) had the highest percentage of the mean from the maximum obtainable score among constructs of the model. There was a significant difference between categories of the EPPM model with doing healthy behaviors. Moreover, the proportion of doing health behaviors was significantly higher in students in the danger control phase. Conclusion: The predominance of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on the perceived efficacy affects preventive health behaviors. Therefore, a theory-based behavioral modification program can be developed based on gender among high school students. Higher grade students and poor socioeconomic status require intense educational interventions to modify their hygienic behaviors.

The influence of mothers&amp;apos; health beliefs and attitudes on prevention of infectious diseases on preventive health behaviors of late school-aged children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in preventive health behaviors of school-age children according to their mothers' health beliefs and attitudes toward the prevention of infectious diseases. Methods: This study was conducted with 121 pairs of 4th to 6th grade elementary school children and their mothers from October 13 to October 30, 2020. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, an independent t-test, a one-way ANOVA, Sheffé’s test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis and a multiple linear regression.Result: The mean and SD of mother's health belief in preventing infectious diseases was 3.58±0.41, the mean and SD of mother's attitude toward preventing infectious diseases was 3.39±0.38, and the mean and SD of late school-age children's preventive health behavior was 3.52±0.37. The multiple linear regression results show that the children's vaccination behavior was influenced by their mothers’ perceived benefits in preventing infectious diseases. In addition, the child's vitamin C and vegetable consumption was influenced by the mother's perceived susceptibility in preventing infectious diseases, and the child's mask-wearing behavior was influenced by the mother's perceived seriousness in preventing infectious diseases. Conclusion: In order to improve the health behavior of school-aged children, programs or education are required to enhance the health beliefs and attitudes of their mothers, who were shown to affect the preventive health behavior of their children.

Health Beliefs in Association with Behaviors in Compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT This study investigated the preventive health behaviors against the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey according to the health belief model. The relationships between perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and preventive health behaviors were examined. 1401 participants consisting of 992 (70.8%) females and 409 (29.3%) males participated in an online survey. Independent groups t-test, hierarchical regression analysis and Process Macro were used for analyses. The findings showed that women perceived higher levels of severity of the disease and the benefits of preventive health behaviors than men. Men perceived more barriers to preventive health behaviors. The levels of anxiety and preventive health behaviors of women were higher than men. In regression analysis, male gender and perceived barriers were found as risk factors for preventive health behaviors. However, female gender, perceived severity, and benefits were protective factors for preventive health behaviors. People with low and moderate anxiety levels were more likely to comply with preventive health behaviors.