Tingjun Wang1, Huajun Wang2, Yongjun Zeng2, Xiaoqi Cai1, Liangdi Xie3. 1. Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China; Department of General Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China; Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, Fuzhou, PR China. 2. Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, Fuzhou, PR China. 3. Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China; Department of General Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China; Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, Fuzhou, PR China. Electronic address: ldxield@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between health beliefs and preventive behaviors against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). METHODS: A survey was conducted in Health Management Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from August 2019 to December 2019. An structured questionnaire was designed to collect the data on sociodemographic characteristics, health belief model (HBM) constructs and NCD-related behaviors. Structural equation model was used to describe the relationship between health beliefs and the behaviors. RESULTS: Among 4453 participants, the most common unhealthy behaviors were sedentary living and working, mood disorders and staying up late. Female, aging, living in urban areas, good physical health were associated with healthy behaviors. HBM constructs including perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived benefits, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility were directly or indirectly related to NCD-related behaviors. Perceived barriers (effect coefficient=0.495) and self-efficacy (effect coefficient=0.435) were found to have the greatest impact on the behaviors. CONCLUSION: Health beliefs are verified to be associated with preventive behaviors against NCDs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Changing sedentary living and working, mood disorders and staying up late are the top priority of health education. Health education based on HBM, especially focusing on helping overcome difficulties and building confidence of behavior change, may be more effective for the prevention of NCDs.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between health beliefs and preventive behaviors against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). METHODS: A survey was conducted in Health Management Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from August 2019 to December 2019. An structured questionnaire was designed to collect the data on sociodemographic characteristics, health belief model (HBM) constructs and NCD-related behaviors. Structural equation model was used to describe the relationship between health beliefs and the behaviors. RESULTS: Among 4453 participants, the most common unhealthy behaviors were sedentary living and working, mood disorders and staying up late. Female, aging, living in urban areas, good physical health were associated with healthy behaviors. HBM constructs including perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived benefits, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility were directly or indirectly related to NCD-related behaviors. Perceived barriers (effect coefficient=0.495) and self-efficacy (effect coefficient=0.435) were found to have the greatest impact on the behaviors. CONCLUSION: Health beliefs are verified to be associated with preventive behaviors against NCDs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Changing sedentary living and working, mood disorders and staying up late are the top priority of health education. Health education based on HBM, especially focusing on helping overcome difficulties and building confidence of behavior change, may be more effective for the prevention of NCDs.
Authors: Maria Ferrara; Elisa Langiano; Lavinia Falese; Pierluigi Diotaiuti; Cristina Cortis; Elisabetta De Vito Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-05-03 Impact factor: 4.614