Complex relation among Health Belief Model components in TB prevention and care

Predicting osteoporosis preventive behaviors in middle-aged and older urban Shanghai residents: a health belief model-based path analysis in a multi-center population study

Background

Osteoporosis represents a significant health concern as a widespread metabolic bone condition. In this study, we aim to utilize path analysis to examine the intricate relationships among demographic information, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and osteoporosis preventive behavior among Shanghai residents over 40 years of age.

Methods

A multi-center population study was conducted in 20 volunteer communities in Shanghai, China. Out of the 2,000 participants who volunteered, 1,903 completed the field survey.

Results

56.0% of participants were females. Their mean age was 63.64 ± 10.30 years. The self-efficacy score among females (42.27 ± 15.82) was also significantly higher than that among males (40.68 ± 15.20). in the pathway analysis. In the path analysis preventive behaviors were significantly predicted by education (β = 0.082, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = 0.132, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.392, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of gender, education, knowledge and self-efficacy in promoting OP preventive behaviors using the Health Belief Model. The findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions to address the specific needs of different demographic groups.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Bangladeshi urban slum dwellers towards COVID-19 transmission-prevention: A cross-sectional study

The first COVID-19 case in Bangladesh was detected on March 8, 2020. Since then, efforts are being made across the country to raise awareness among the population for preventing the spread of this virus. We aimed to examine the urban slum dwellers' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 transmission-prevention. A phone-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in five slums of Dhaka City. Total 476 adult slum dwellers were interviewed between October 31 to December 1, 2020 using a pre-tested questionnaire. During an interview, information was collected on participants' demographic characteristics and KAP items towards COVID-19. We used quartiles for categorization of knowledge and practice score where the first quartile represents poor, the second and third quartiles represent average while the fourth quartile represents good. Attitude score was standardized using z-score and identified as positive and negative attitude. Multiple linear regression models were used separately to identify the socioeconomic predictors of the KAP scores. The results showed that 25% of the respondents had good knowledge and 25% had poor knowledge, 48% had a positive attitude and 52% had a negative attitude, and 21% maintained good practice and 33% maintained poor practice towards COVID-19 transmission-prevention. About 75% respondents relied on television for COVID-19 related information. Regression results showed that knowledge and attitude scores were significantly higher if respondents had primary or secondary and above level of education compared to the uneducated group. Female respondents maintained significantly good practice compared to their male counterparts (β = 6.841; p<0.01). This study has found that one third of the studied slum dwellers maintained poor practice and one fourth had poor knowledge towards COVID-19 transmission-prevention. As KAP domains are significantly correlated, efforts are needed to raise awareness of COVID-19 particularly targeting individuals with average and lower knowledge to improve attitude and practice for the prevention of COVID-19.

Social Distancing, Health Concerns, and Digitally Empowered Consumption Behavior Under COVID-19: A Study on Livestream Shopping Technology

During the COVID-19 pandemic, livestream shopping has provided consumers with a way to maintain social distancing while offering an alternative to offline shopping. This study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 and other public health crises on the behavioral intentions of consumers using livestream shopping technology. A theoretical model was designed that combines the health belief model, trust theory, and the theory of planned behavior. Empirical data were collected from 358 residents in China and then analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived obstacles had a significant impact on consumer trust. Consumer trust in turn had a direct impact on behavioral intention and an indirect impact on behavioral intention via attitude. These research results have practical implications for livestream shopping merchants, platform decision-makers, and service designers.

Factors influencing transmission of tuberculosis in Ngeu Nata culture among Ngada community in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia: Cross sectional study

Background

Eating “sirih/Betel” (Ngeu Nata) as a culture in Ngada society can become one of the primary source of Tuberculosis (TB) transmission due to share leaves and betel liquid reservoirs together with other people. If one of the people who share leaves is a TB patient, it can transmit TB to other person. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence TB transmission in Ngeu Nata culture using the health belief model approach.

Design and Methods

This study used cross-sectional, involving 110 respondents, selected by consecutive sampling. The respondents were Bajawa ethnicity, age 36-67, at least consume Betel one a day together with other person in Ngada district, East Nusa Tenggara.

Results

The results showed that most respondents had high transmission behavior in betel eating culture (51.8%). Factors related to TB transmission behavior: medical history of TB (p=0.028), knowledge about TB (p=0.038), the perceived of severity of TB (p=0.037); the perceived of benefits (p=0.039) and the perceived of barrier (p=0.038). The dominant factor was knowledge, (OR 2,365 (95% CI) 1,015-5,510).

Conclusions

Implication: nurses should include aspect of Ngeu Nata cultural in designing TB education for Bajawa ethnicity in order to prevent TB transmission in Ngada district, East Nusa Tenggara.

How Social Norms Affect Consumer Intention to Purchase Certified Functional Foods: The Mediating Role of Perceived Effectiveness and Attitude

Certified functional foods (CFFs) are approved by relevant authorities because of demonstrable efficacy. However, social norms affect consumer perceptions regarding CFFs, and their attitudes toward CFFs remain unclear. Drawing on social influence theory, this study explored how social norms (i.e., descriptive and injunctive) affect consumer perceptions and willingness to purchase CFFs. Consumers of CFFs in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study, and 398 valid questionnaires were received. Collected data were assessed through structural equation modeling. The results revealed that descriptive and injunctive norms exerted a positive effect on perceptions of the effectiveness of CFFs. However, although injunctive norms exerted a positive effect on consumer attitude, the effect of descriptive norms on attitude was not significant. Furthermore, consumer perceptions on the effectiveness of CFFs affected their attitude toward CFFs, consequently increasing their intention to purchase CFFs. This study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the relationship between social norms, perceived effectiveness, and attitudes regarding CFFs. The results of this study provide directions to CFF marketers for developing marketing strategies and establishing marketing communication strategies from the perspective of social influence.

The Presence of Cough and Tuberculosis: Active Case Finding Outcomes in the Philippines

The results of a tuberculosis (TB) active case finding (ACF) program, implemented by International Care Ministries (ICM) in the Philippines, were examined to understand how the presence of physical symptoms might influence ACF outcomes among extreme low-income Filipinos. ICM health staff implemented symptom screening in villages and suspected cases were referred to the closest rural health unit (RHU) for TB testing. ACF was carried out in Mindanao and the Visayas, across 16 different provinces. All participants were interviewed pre/postprogram, and screening outcomes were collected. A multilevel regression model was constructed to explore the effect of factors on the likelihood of getting tested. A total of 4635 individuals were screened; 1290 (27.8%) were symptom positive and referred. From those referred, 336 (7.2%) were tested for TB and 53 (1.1%) were TB positive. “Cough for more than two weeks” was associated with a 1.09 (95% CI 1.01, 1.15) times increase in likelihood of getting tested. The finding that the presence of cough is associated with higher rate of testing suggests that individuals in these settings might not know or believe that the lack of cough does not equate to lack of TB infection. While technologies and screening algorithms give us the ability to refine the ‘supply' side of the TB screening, addressing the knowledge gap should improve ‘demand'.

Do health beliefs, personality traits, and interpersonal concerns predict TB prevention behavior among Japanese adults?

Despite public health measures and health-promotion efforts, the decline in tuberculosis (TB) morbidity in Japan has been slow, with a higher TB incidence rate relative to those observed in most developed countries. Because health behavior depends on multiple factors and is formulated within a social context, a theory-driven model would be necessary to increase TB prevention behavior. Based upon the Health Belief Model, this study examined the effects of health beliefs, personality traits, and social factors on TB prevention behavior among Japanese adults. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with a nationally representative sample (N = 911; 50.9% women; mean age 49.5, SD = 14.1). Path analyses gave empirical support for the hypothesized model, suggesting that TB prevention behaviors are influenced by not only perceived susceptibility to the illness but also social factors such as cues to action and one’s concern to benefit others. The findings have implications for research examining health communication tailored to individual differences in personality and interpersonal concern.