Protective Health Behaviors Research Articles

The Impact of COVID-19 on Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness for Middle-Aged and Older Adults

This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on depressive symptoms and loneliness in older adults, using the Protection Motivation Theory Framework. Using data collected between March 2020 and May 2021 as part of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 2145 adults over age 50), the roles of threat and coping appraisals as predictors of protective health behaviors and, ultimately, mental health outcomes, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Being at high risk for COVID-19 complications and death was associated with more depressive symptoms and loneliness. Higher levels of concern about COVID-19 were associated with more depressive symptoms while knowing someone who had died of the coronavirus was associated with less loneliness. Lower scores for perceived control over one’s health and social life were associated with more depressive symptoms and higher loneliness. These results suggest that moving forward, mental health assessments should consider the impact of the pandemic and include measures specifically asking about COVID-19 concerns and experiences (e.g., death of close friends or family due to COVID-19, protective health measures). Additionally, future responses to this pandemic and other public health emergencies should consider the influence that self-efficacy has on health behaviors and mental health. The pandemic has raised public awareness of the negative consequences of social isolation and acted to destigmatize mental illness, and this greater awareness could encourage middle-aged and older adults to seek various treatments for depression and loneliness.

Media exposure, risk perceptions, and fear: Americans’ behavioral responses to the Ebola public health crisis

We examined media exposure, psychological fear and worry, perceptions of risk, and health protective behaviors surrounding the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in a probability-based, representative, national sample of Americans (N = 3447). Structural equation models examined relationships between amount (hours/day) and content (e.g., graphic images of dead bodies) of media exposure and counts of self-reported health protective behaviors that participants performed or would perform if Ebola spread to their community. Ebola-related risk perceptions and fear and worry were potential mediators. Greater total hours and more graphic media exposure positively correlated with more fear and worry; greater total hours of media exposure also positively correlated with higher perceived risk. Higher risk perceptions were associated with more health protective behaviors performed and intended. Greater fear and worry were associated with more behaviors performed. Amount and content of media exposure exhibited indirect effects on behaviors performed; amount of media exposure had indirect effects on intentions. Media may help promote health protective behaviors during public health threats; the amount and content should be congruent with threat to minimize distress and maximize resources.

Lifestyle factors and psychological well-being: 10-year follow-up study in Lithuanian urban population

BackgroundSeveral lifestyle behaviours, including physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition habits, and social activity have been associated with psychological well-being (PWB). However, their effect on PWB prospectively has been less studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of lifestyle factors on higher future PWB during the 10-year follow-up of middle-aged and elderly urban population.MethodsIn the baseline survey (2006 to 2008), 7115 men and women 45–72 years of age were examined within the framework of the international study Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in the Eastern Europe (HAPIEE). In the follow-up survey (in 2016), which was performed among all 6210 participants who survived till that year, 4266 individuals participated responding to postal questionnaires. PWB was assessed by a CASP-12 questionnaire. The lifestyle behaviours, including smoking and nutrition habits, alcohol consumption, social and physical activity, were evaluated by the questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied for statistical data analysis.ResultsAfter accounting for several potential confounders, healthy levels of lifestyle behaviours were associated with higher PWB after 10-year follow-up. Never-smokers in men and former smokers in women had higher PWB by 43 and 67% odds respectively in comparison with smokers. Physical activity in women and high social activity both in men in women was positively related to higher PWB. More frequent fresh vegetable and fruit consumption was associated with higher odds of higher PWB (odds ratio 1.57 in men and 1.36 in women, p < 0.05) compared to less frequent consumption of such food groups. Dose-response relationship between increasing number of healthy lifestyle factors and higher PWB was determined both in men and women.ConclusionsLifestyle factors such as never smoking and former smoking, high social activity, and more frequent fresh vegetable and fruit consumption increased the odds of higher PWB over 10 years of follow-up in men and women groups. The increase of the protective health behaviour score was directly associated with the odds of higher PWB.

“Cover your mouth and nose”: communication about health protection behaviors by role models in YouTube COVID-19 videos for children

YouTube videos offer a potentially useful vehicle for the communication of science, health, and medical information about COVID-19 to children. Findings from this research showed that primary characters appearing in children's educational YouTube videos about COVID-19 were most often adults, with about an equal number of men and women and few characters from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Primary characters frequently demonstrated and modeled protective health measures. Adult expert characters (medical professionals and scientists) appeared to some extent in these videos. Directive discourse frames appeared most frequently, followed by the informative and persuasive discourse frames when communicating scientific and health information. Changes in the use of informative, directive, and persuasive frames before and after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced guidelines on how to communicate about COVID-19 with children are explored.

Understanding the risk perception of visceral leishmaniasis exposure and the acceptability of sandfly protection measures among migrant workers in the lowlands of Northwest Ethiopia: a health belief model perspective

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the leading cause of health concerns among Ethiopian migrant workers. Understanding risk perception and health-protective behavior are significant challenges in the prevention and eradication of the disease. As a result, studies are required to assess these important epidemiological factors, which will provide guidance on how to assist migrant workers in taking preventive measures against VL.MethodWe conducted qualitative research among migrant workers on seasonal agricultural farms in Northwest Ethiopia between June and November 2019 to assess their perception of the risk of contracting VL and their willingness to use protective measures against the disease. Seventeen focus group discussions and 16 key informant interviews were conducted to study migrant workers’ risk perception in relation to sandfly bite exposure and use of sandfly control measures. For analysis, all interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated. ATLASti was used to perform qualitative content analysis on the data.ResultMigrant workers are fearful of VL because of previous exposure and the disease’s prevalence in the area. They believe, however, that VL is a minor illness that is easily treated. While Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) are widely accepted as a protective measure, there are still reservations about using them due to the seasonality of the transmission, difficulties in hanging them on farm areas, and a preference for alternative traditional practices. Regardless of perceived self-efficacy, the central cues were the message delivered by the health workers and an increase in sandfly bite irritation. Based on the findings, three levels of intervention modalities are suggested: 1) increasing pre-arrival awareness through outdoor media (posters, stickers, billboards), 2) encouraging proper use of protective measures upon arrival at farm camps, and 3) informing departing workers on disease recognition and best practices for health-seeking continuous use of protective measures at home.ConclusionThis finding suggests that VL prevention interventions should focus on individuals’ perceptions in order to promote consistent use of protective measures. The findings are highly useful in planning effective interventions against VL.

Real-World Effectiveness of the mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in Japan: A Case-Control Study.

The real-world effectiveness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Japan remains unclear. This case–control study evaluated the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two doses of mRNA vaccine, BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, against the delta (B.1.617.2) variant in the Japanese general population in the period June–September 2021. Individuals in close contact with COVID-19 patients were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A self-administered questionnaire evaluated vaccination status, demographic data, underlying medical conditions, lifestyle, personal protective health behaviors, and living environment. Two vaccine doses were reported by 11.6% of cases (n = 389) and 35.2% of controls (n = 179). Compared with controls, cases were younger and had a lower proportion who always performed handwashing for ≥20 s, a higher proportion of alcohol consumers, and a lower proportion of individuals living in single-family homes or with commuting family members. After adjusting for these confounding factors and day of PCR testing by multivariate logistic regression analysis, the VE in the period June–July (delta variant proportion 45%) was 92% and 79% in the period August–September (delta variant proportion 89%). The adjusted VE for homestay, hotel-based isolation and quarantine, and hospitalization was 78%, 77%, and 97%, respectively. Despite declining slightly, VE against hospitalization remained robust for ~3 months after the second dose. Vaccination policymaking will require longer-term monitoring of VE against new variants.

Relationship between Sociodemographic Factors, Perceived COVID-19 Risk, and Engagement with Health Protective Behaviors.

This study describes the relationship between sociodemographic factors, chronic conditions, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) fears and stressors, and the perception of risk from COVID-19 and the use of health protective behaviors among Arkansans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collected from an online survey, administered in Arkansas between July and August 2020 (n = 1205), were used to estimate regressions. The data analysis was completed in April 2021. Wearing a face mask was the most commonly reported behavior (97.4%), followed by handwashing (97.2%). Protective behaviors increased with higher levels of fear (β = 0.030, P < 0.001), more stressors (β = 0.057, P = 0.002), and age (β = 0.006, P = 0.030). Female (β = 0.510, P < 0.001) and Black (β = 0.268, P = 0.039) respondents reported engaging in more protective behaviors than males or other races/ethnicities. In future pandemic planning, there will be a need to create messaging and interventions to increase health protective behaviors directed at young adults, men, and those with lower education levels. Providers will need to address fears related to COVID-19 and help their patients to manage those fears and anxieties.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Situation Awareness and Crisis Emotions Between Social Media Use and COVID-19 Protective Behaviors: Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundIn an outbreak of an infectious disease especially, online media would usually be an important channel for people to get first-hand knowledge and evaluate risks of the specific emergency. Although there has been increasing attention to the effect of social media use during epidemics and outbreaks, relatively little is known about the underlying mechanism by which social media plays a role in people's cognitive, affective and preventive responses.ObjectiveWith an objective to advance current knowledge surrounding social media effects on people's cognition, affection and health protective behaviors during epidemics, we aim to examine the associations between social media exposure to COVID-19 risks related information and preventive behavior of the public, and also the role that situation awareness and crisis emotions including anxiety and fear played.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted in China a total of 632 participants were recruited. Measures included exposure to COVID-19 information through social media, situation awareness, anxiety, fear and protective behaviors that participants have taken. We have performed the descriptive statistical analysis, correlation and mediation analysis to test the research hypotheses.ResultsFindings indicated that situation awareness was positively associated with social media use (B = 0.54, p < 0.001), anxiety (B = 0.95, p < 0.001) and fear (B = 0.87, p < 0.001), and preventive behavior (B = 0.68, p < 0.001). Social media use would also have an indirect effect on anxiety (indirect effect = 0.40; 95% CI = [0.34, 0.46]) and fear (indirect effect = 0.35; 95% CI = [0.29, 0.42]) through situation awareness. The serial mediation effect of situation awareness and fear in the correlation between social media use and preventive behavior has been testified (indirect effect = 0.04, 95% CI = [0.01, 0.08]).ConclusionsSocial media use might influence the adoption of preventive behaviors through triggering situation awareness and fear. Therefore, health communication regarding COVID-19 prevention should target people with less internet access and low eHealth literacy. Understanding the positive role of negative crisis emotions during outbreaks could also help communicators and policymakers develop appropriate strategies to make people proactive to avoid the remaining health hazard.

Physical behavior and interpersonal relationship among patients undergoing hemodialysis

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an interventional program on patients' knowledge toward physical behavior and interpersonal relationship as health-protective behaviors. A quasi-experimental (tow-group pretest-posttest) design was used to conduct this study at the hemodialysis unit in Al-Hussain Teaching Hospital for the period from (18th of Dec 2021, to the 5th of May 2022). A non-probability (purposive) sampling was used to select (80 patients) undergoing hemodialysis. To measure the effectiveness of the interventional program on patients' knowledge, the researcher used a knowledge form which included (40) questions. The validity of the questionnaire and the interventional program were verified by presenting it to (18) experts. The reliability was determined using the test-retest approach for the knowledge questionnaire. The study findings showed that there are highly statistically significant differences between the scores of patients' knowledge in two levels of measurements (pre-test and post-test) at a p-value (0.000), where the statistical mean of the overall knowledge at a p-value of patients in the pre-test was (0.896), while it becomes (0.000) in post-test.

Lockdown Efficacy in Controlling the Spread of COVID-19 May Be Waning Due to Decline in Public Compliance, Especially among Unvaccinated Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Israel.

Public compliance is paramount for the success of public health measures and decision making, such as lockdowns, in controlling the spread of diseases. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to investigate the level of reported compliance with home isolation among the adult Israeli population (n = 940) during the first three national lockdowns, compliance with a potential fourth national lockdown if enacted, risk perception of COVID-19, vaccination uptake status, perceived effectiveness of the vaccine, and compliance with additional protective health behaviors (e.g., mask wearing and social distancing). Following widespread compliance with initial lockdowns (90.7% reported “high” or “very high” compliance), as few as 60.1% of participants indicated that they would comply with a fourth lockdown if the government decides to enact it. Non-vaccinated individuals reported the lowest levels of compliance with previous lockdowns, compared to participants who received one or two vaccines and participants vaccinated with three doses. Adjusted for gender and age, the results suggest that fearing being infected with COVID-19, perceiving the vaccine to be effective, and reporting being compliant with other health behaviors—such as mask wearing and maintaining social distance from others—are predictors of lockdown compliance. Considering the effect of pandemic lockdown fatigue, there is little support for additional lockdowns among the Israeli public, unless dramatic changes occur in the characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic. Compliance with lockdowns is reduced among individuals who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, therefore rendering this non-pharmaceutical intervention even less effective in reducing the spread of the disease.

Government Trust and Motivational Factors on Health Protective Behaviors to Prevent COVID-19 Among Young Adults.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of government trust on young adults’ adoption of health behaviors to prevent infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Method: We tested the hypothesis that government trust would directly and indirectly (through worry/fear and subjective norms) influence the adoption of health-protective behaviors. A sample of 1,136 university students completed a web survey after Chile’s first wave of infections. Results: The results indicate that low government trust only indirectly (through subjective norms) influenced health-protective behaviors. Conversely, worry/fear was the primary motivating factor for adopting health-protective behaviors in young adults, followed by subjective norms. Conclusion: In scenarios where people perceive low government trust, emotions and social norms are the motivational factors with the most significant predictive power on the adoption of health-protective behaviors.

COVID-19 one year on: identification of at-risk groups for psychological trauma and poor health-protective behaviour using a telephone survey

BackgroundThis study examined the profiles and correlates of psychological trauma, compliance with preventative measures, vaccine acceptance and participation in voluntary testing during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among the adult population in Hong Kong (n = 3,011).MethodsData were collected through a telephone survey between December 2020 and February 2021, using measures of psychological trauma, compliance with preventative measures, reading news reports on COVID-19, vaccine acceptance and willingness to participate in voluntary testing.ResultsThe prevalence of possible post-traumatic stress disorder was found to be 12.4%. Respondents were generally compliant with routine preventative measures, and approximately half had accepted vaccination and voluntary testing. Participants who had lower levels of education, were unemployed or had no income showed greater psychological trauma symptoms, whereas female, older and more educated participants showed greater compliance with preventative measures. Participants who spent more time watching news reports of COVID-19 had greater psychological trauma, but also greater compliance. Participants who were male, older, had lower education levels or were married showed greater acceptance of vaccination and participation in voluntary testing.ConclusionsSocio-demographic factors affected both psychological trauma and engagement in health-protective measures at one year after the onset of the pandemic. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Measuring the Impact of Greece as a Safe Branding Tourist Destination: Evidence from Spain and Greece

After the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, many tourist destinations promoted a safe, COVID-free image to attract tourists. The main purpose of this paper is to examine and analyze the effect that the image of a place as a safe tourist destination (STD)—in our case, Greece—can have on the decision-making processes of tourists who were willing to take summer holidays in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the relationships between destination safety perceptions, trust, attractive attributes of destinations, travel intentions, and health-protective behavior for domestic and inbound tourists from Spain. This study confirms differences in destination safety perceptions among domestic and inbound tourists from countries that have suffered significant negative impacts due to the novel coronavirus.

Overcoming the effect of pandemic fatigue on vaccine hesitancy-Will belief in science triumph?

PurposeThe study aims to examine the factors that impact vaccination uptake and additional protective behavior during the fourth wave of the pandemic in Israel, whereas the “pandemic fatigue” phenomenon has been identified as a hurdle to adherence to protective health behaviors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).DesignA cross‐sectional, structured questionnaire was utilized for this investigation in September 2021, during the fourth wave of the pandemic.MethodsA sample of the adult (18+) Israeli population was employed for the study. Recruiting participants for the study was conducted through an online internet panel company that consists of over 100,000 members, representing all geographic and demographic sectors of the Israeli population.ResultsOur findings indicate that pandemic fatigue has begun to have cascading effects on vaccination efforts. In particular, this study found that at this stage of the COVID‐19 pandemic, trust in authorities, and even threat perception components, such as concern and fear of contracting the disease, are incapable of predicting vaccination uptake. Instead, perception of the importance of the vaccine and its effectiveness are predictive of vaccination uptake.ConclusionThe findings indicate that at this stage of the pandemic, focusing on the robustness of the science behind the vaccine is more important than trying to regain public trust. The findings also suggest that risk communication employing fear tactics is losing its capacity to generate motivation for vaccination.Clinical RelevanceThe findings of this study reveal lessons learned from the COVID‐19 global pandemic. Specifically, the study reveals how in times of prolonged crisis, we can currently and, in the future, prepare improved strategies for public communication in order to promote uptake of protective health behavior, such as vaccination.

Investigation of the predictive influence of personal and gubernatorial politics on COVID-19 related behaviors and beliefs.

Given the varied emotional and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, further attention to the personal and societal influences on such responses is necessary. We investigated the predictive influence of personal political affiliation and the congruity of personal and governor political affiliation on COVID-19 emotional and behavioral responses, with specific attention to the influence of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on emotional response. These factors were assessed in two studies of adults in the United States (N = 480, N = 272). We utilized a series of hierarchical linear and logistic regressions to assess predictors of 4 outcomes: (1) trust in governor’s response to the pandemic, (2) COVID-19 related worry, and the (3) usage and (4) perceived efficacy of protective health behaviors (e.g., wearing a mask). Across these studies, we found that IU predicted increased COVID-19 related worry. Further, age and personal political affiliation, but not concordance with governor affiliation, predicted COVID-19 behavioral responses. These findings are discussed in relation to the potential importance of linking health messaging to personal characteristics.

Nutritional Behavior and Medication Adherence among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease with five phases based on the glomerular filtration rate. In each of these stages, the patient continues to suffer from the condition and must take responsibility for his health, such as changing his diet and lifestyle and taking significant doses of medication. If not treated effectively, Chronic kidney disease can lead to a high rate of morbidity and mortality, lowering the quality of life and hastening death. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an interventional program on patients' knowledge toward nutritional behavior and medication adherence as health-protective behaviors. Methodology: A quasi-experimental (tow-group pretest-posttest) design was used to conduct this study at the hemodialysis unit in Al-Hussain Teaching Hospital. A non-probability (purposive) sampling was used to select (80 patients) undergoing hemodialysis. To measure the effectiveness of the interventional program on patients' knowledge, the researcher used a knowledge form which included (40) questions. The validity of the questionnaire and the interventional program were verified by presenting it to (17) experts. The reliability was determined using the test-retest approach for the knowledge questionnaire. Results: The study findings showed that there are highly statistically significant differences between the scores of patients knowledge in two levels of measurements (pre-test and post-test) at p-value (0.000), where the statistical mean of the overall knowledge at p-value of patients in the pre-test was (0.896), while it becomes (0.000) in post-test. Conclusion: The study concluded that the interventional program positively affects the patients' knowledge concerning nutritional behaviors and medication adherence as health-protective behaviors. Keywords: Nutritional behavior, Medication adherence, Hemodialysis, Health promotion.

Fear of Becoming Infected and Fear of Doing the Wrong Thing - Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Further Validation of the Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF).

With the COVID-19 infection speeding around the world, many experience fear and anxiety. To detect those at risk of psychopathology and provide treatment, valid instruments are needed. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally validate the theory-based instrument Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF) in Croatian and to further examine the scale's validity by exploring its relationship with relevant constructs. A total of 477 participants completed an online survey during a rapid rise in new daily COVID-19 cases in Croatia and while new restrictions were being imposed. MAC-RF had a stronger association with health anxiety, cyberchondria, and anxiety sensitivity compared to depression, attesting to its convergent and divergent validity. However, a 2-factor structure was revealed in this sample: Fear of infection and Fear of using an inadequate strategy in dealing with pandemic. Fear of infection had a stronger association with health anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety and was a better predictor of COVID-19 related protective health behaviors. Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy had a stronger association with cyberchondria, fear of consequences of the epidemic on mental health, as well as financial consequences, and loss of civil liberties. Fear of infection captures negative emotional states due to feared consequences on personal somatic health and the health of loved ones, while Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy in dealing with the pandemic reflects a metacognitive aspect. Treatments may have to target both aspects of COVID-19 related fear.

Personality and mental health: Factors impacting perceived health risks and protective behaviors during the early COVID-19 quarantine

Previous studies have demonstrated the psychological impact of stressful events related to an infectious disease outbreak. This impact may be moderated by the perception of risk and individual differences in personality. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the personality profiles and mental health on the perceived risk (being infected, getting hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19) and on preventive behaviors (wash your hands, stay at home, maintain social distance, touch your face, and mask use). A total sample of 126 Argentine adults, both genders, participated and filled in the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO PI-R), the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and COVID-19 estimates regarding risk perception and preventive behaviors. Results show that people with undercontrolled personality profile and high interpersonal sensitivity overestimated their probability of getting infected, hospitalization, and dying from COVID-19. In addition, the resilient profile group with high anxiety overestimated the probability of hospitalization and dying; the undercontrolled profile group with high anxiety, phobic anxiety, or psychoticism, also overestimated their probability of dying; the undercontrolled profile people with high interpersonal sensitivity, or high anxiety reported higher probabilities of maintaining social distance. Anxiety and depression symptoms explain a low percentage of the perceived risk variance; while conscientiousness, together with mental health were able to explain the estimated probability of engaging in protective behaviors. These findings could be useful to implement more effective and realistic strategies to promote the adoption of preventive behaviors.

Does State Tightness-Looseness Predict Behavior and Attitudes Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA?

We investigated how tightness-looseness, reflecting strictness of social norms, of state of residence in the USA predicts behaviors and attitudes related to COVID-19. Because individual-level tightness may better capture current attitudes during the pandemic, whereas state-level archival measures reflect historical factors, we assessed the extent to which tightness-looseness at both levels predicted adherence to public health guidelines and biases toward outgroups related to COVID-19. In Spring 2020, 544 mTurk participants, primarily from the 13 tightest and 13 loosest states, completed survey questions about health behaviors in response to COVID-19, endorsement of future policy changes, feeling of responsibility for lives, and attitudes toward groups marginalized during the pandemic (i.e., Asians, older adults). State-level results indicated some associations with attitudes toward Asians and older adults, but effects were not robust. Results based on individuals’ ratings of the tightness of their state indicated that higher levels of perceived tightness were associated with higher levels of protective self-reported public health behaviors (e.g., mask wearing, handwashing) during COVID-19, more endorsement of future policy changes to contain the pandemic, higher reported feelings of responsibility for one’s life, and stronger negative attitudes toward Asians. The relations between tightness and health outcomes persisted after controlling for political attitudes and demographics. Thus, individual, more than state, tightness-looseness accounted for some degree of public health behaviors (unique contribution of individual tightness: R2 = .034) and attitudes toward marginalized groups ( R2 = .020) early during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implications of these findings for interventions to support behavior change or combat anti-Asian bias are discussed.

Assessing The Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices Related with Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Aim: To examine nurses’ knowledge, behaviors, and practices about breast cancer. Material and Methods: The universe of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consists of 535 nurses working at Fırat University Hospital in Elazıg-Turkey and 495 of them were contacted. Study data were obtained using a survey form aiming to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and behaviors of nurses about breast cancer and early diagnosis methods. Data were examined using numbers, mean values, percentages, and the Chi-Square test. Results: The mean age of participants was 29.46±7.27 years, 88.7% were female, and 46.7% were single. Although 65.6% of nurses perform breast self-examination (BSE), only 15.9% were regularly implementing this method. The percentage of those having complete command of BSE was 52.2%, whereas the percentage of those having no knowledge was 12.3%. The ratio of having clinical breast examination (CBE) by physician was 15.4%. The ratio of having mammography was 53.6%. Advancing age, considering the knowledge on breast cancer sufficient, and following the scientific publications on breast cancer were found to have a statistically significant effect on implementation of early diagnosis methods (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Since nurses are healthcare professionals, it was determined that they do not have sufficient knowledge of BSE and the percentage of implementing early diagnosis methods for breast cancer was low. Interventions should be made to support the nurses’ knowledge and behaviors related with breast cancer and early diagnosis methods with educational instruments and to determine and minimize the factors preventing the implementation of protective health behaviors.