A Study of Pandemic Prevention Health Behavior in Adults

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the World Health Organization recommended prevention measures to minimize the spread of the pandemic. However, strict compliance with prevention measures requires positive health behavior practices, especially among adults. Therefore, this study investigated adults’ health behaviors in relation to pandemic prevention based on the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). This study used a structural model, applying the HBM and the TPB to explain and predict pandemic prevention behaviors in adults. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 25.0. The results revealed that, in total, 341 adults (age: 20–64 years; males: 167, females: 174; single: 167; married: 164; divorced: 8) participated in this study. Of the 341 participants, 339 had use of the internet and a smartphone. Furthermore, the results revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in relation to pandemic prevention behaviors directly affected people’s intentions to adopt pandemic prevention behaviors. Perceived severity and perceived disability had significant indirect effects on the intention to prevent pandemics; pandemic prevention behavior and perceived behavioral control had a significant effect on pandemic prevention intention. The pandemic prevention education programs suggested in this study have the potential to improve adults’ health behavior in relation to pandemic prevention.

Factors Influencing Behavior of Reducing Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Breastfeeding Mothers

PURPOSE

To investigate factors that affect behaviors of reducing exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in breastfeeding mothers.

METHODS

Subjects were 166 breastfeeding mothers who were recruited from January 25 to April 15, 2018. The questionnaire consisted of items associated with behaviors of reducing exposure to EDCs, attitude to behaviors of reducing exposure, subject norms of behavior of reducing exposure, and perceived behavior control. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple regression.

RESULTS

Factors influencing behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs were attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure, perceived barrier, and period of lactation. The more positive the attitude toward behaviors of reducing exposure was, the lower the perceived barrier. The longer the feeding period, the higher the behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs.

CONCLUSION

To enhance behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, it is necessary to develop a positive educational program in breastfeeding department to improve attitude toward behaviors of reducing the exposure to EDCs, decrease perceived barrier, and increase the breastfeeding period.

Influencing factors on hand hygiene behavior of nursing students based on theory of planned behavior: A descriptive survey study

BACKGROUND

Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent transmission of infection, but the compliance rate of healthcare workers is relatively low.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to identify the knowledge, beliefs, behavior, and affecting factors about hand hygiene among nursing students.

DESIGN

A descriptive survey study.

SETTINGS

The study was carried out in two South Korean nursing schools.

PARTICIPANTS

A total 208 nursing students participated in this study.

METHODS

Questionnaires were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The percentage of correct answers in the survey section concerning hand hygiene knowledge was 68.1%. No significant difference in the knowledge, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, or control beliefs data was found related to general characteristics. Behavioral beliefs correlated with normative beliefs (r=.25, p<.001) and hand hygiene behavior (r=.17, p=.017), and control beliefs correlated with hand hygiene behavior (r=.18, p=.010).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that knowledge is not enough to change the beliefs related to hand hygiene; positive behavioral beliefs and strong control beliefs are also needed to increase hand hygiene compliance.