Factors Associated With the Experience of Cognitive Training Apps for the Prevention of Dementia: Cross-sectional Study Using an Extended Health Belief Model

Background The prevalence and economic burden of dementia are increasing dramatically. Using information communication technology to improve cognitive functions is proven to be effective and holds the potential to serve as a new and efficient method for the prevention of dementia. Objective The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the experience of mobile apps for cognitive training in middle-aged adults. We evaluated the relationships between the experience of cognitive training apps and structural variables using an extended health belief model. Methods An online survey was conducted on South Korean participants aged 40 to 64 years (N=320). General characteristics and dementia knowledge were measured along with the health belief model constructs. Statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results Higher dementia knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 1.164, P=.02), higher perceived benefit (OR 1.373, P<.001), female gender (OR 0.499, P=.04), and family history of dementia (OR 1.933, P=.04) were significantly associated with the experience of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia. Conclusions This study may serve as a theoretical basis for the development of intervention strategies to increase the use of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia.

Testing the Effectiveness of the Health Belief Model in Predicting Preventive Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Romania and Italy

We use a cultural psychology approach to examine the relevance of the Health Belief Model (HBM) for predicting a variety of behaviors that had been recommended by health officials during the initial stages of the COVID-19 lockdown for containing the spread of the virus and not overburdening the health system in Europe. Our study is grounded in the assumption that health behavior is activated based on locally relevant perceptions of threats, susceptibility and benefits in engaging in protective behavior, which requires careful attention to how these perceptions might be structured and activated. We assess the validity of the HBM in two European countries that have been relatively understudied, using simultaneous measurements during acute periods of infection in Romania and Italy. An online questionnaire provided a total of (N = 1863) valid answers from both countries. First, to understand individual difference patterns within and across populations, we fit a General Linear Model in which endorsement was predicted by behavior, country, their interaction, and a random effect for participants. Second, we assess the effect of demographics and health beliefs on prevention behaviors by fitting a multi-group path model across countries, in which each behavior was predicted by the observed health belief variables and demographics. Health beliefs showed stronger relationships with the recommended behaviors than demographics. Confirming previously reported relationships, self-efficacy, perceived severity, and perceived benefits were consistently related to the greater adoption of individual behaviors, whereas greater perceived barriers were related to lower adoption of health behaviors. However, we also point to important location specific effects that suggest that local norms shape protective behavior in highly contextualized ways.

Implementasi Health Belief Model terhadap pelaksanaan vaksinasi untuk penanggulangan pandemi Corona Virus Diseases-19 (Covid-19) pada tenaga kesehatan Kabupaten Nagan Raya

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Interventions are needed not only in terms of implementing health protocols but also other effective interventions to decrease the transmission of disease through vaccination efforts which are aimed at reducing transmission/transmission of COVID-19, reducing morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, and achieving group immunity in the community society (herd immunity).Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the implementation of a health belief model for the implementation of vaccination in the context of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic in health workers within the Nagan Raya District Health Office.Method: The type of research used a descriptive-analytic approach with a cross-sectional study design with a total sampling method of sampling. The sample in this study was 76 health workers from a population of 76 health workers at the Nagan Raya District Health Office. This study was conducted from March to September 2021. Data analysis used Chi-Square statistical test and Binary Logistic Regression with a significance level of 95%.Results: The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between perceived susceptibility (p = 0.041), perceived benefits (p = 0.047), and cues to action (p = 0.037) with the implementation of vaccination in the context of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for health workers. There is no relationship between perceived severity (p = 1,000) and perceived barriers (p = 0,280) with the implementation of vaccination in the context of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in health workers.Conclusion: The dimension of the health belief model that is highly dominant related to the implementation of vaccination in the context of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in health workers is the perceived susceptibility variable with a value of p= 0.041 and Exp (B) = 5.376.

Peer-led theoretically Desinged HIV/AIDS prevention intervention among students: a case of health belief model

Background & aim HIV/AIDS is one of the most dangerous viruses known in the world. In addition, considering its fatality rate and high cost of care, it is a serious threat to the health and economy of social communities. Adolescents are one of the high-risk groups. One of the most effective ways to prevent this disease is to promote healthcare, raise awareness, and change health-related beliefs and attitudes. This study aims at determining the effect of peer education, based on the health belief model, on the preventative measures against AIDS adopted by girls. Methods & materials In this empirical-interventionist study two schools were randomly selected, one of which was considered as the intervention group and the other as the control group. The classes were also randomly selected and 80 students from each school took part in the project following the entry criterion. A questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability was used to collect data. In this study a few bright students were chosen as peer educators after being trained. The intervention group (N = 80) received 4 sessions of 60-min education through training, lectures, question and answer, and group discussion, But the control group received no instruction. The posttest was administered two months after the treatment. The data was fed into the SPSS 16. Finally, T-test, Chi-Square, and ANCOVA were employed to analyze the data. Results The average scores obtained from the intervention group and the control group were not significantly different in terms of awareness level, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and behavior in baseline (P>0.05). Two months after the intervention there was a significant increase in the average scores of all the variables in the experimental group (P > 0.05). However, there was no significant change in the scores of the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion Following a health belief model focusing on peer eduaction among high school girls, the intervention eduaction can affect awareness level, susceptibility, severity, benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and finally avoidance of high-risk behavior.

Factors Influencing Protective Behaviors for Dental Radiation Exposure among Female Korean Dental Hygienists Using Health Belief Model

This study aimed to identify the associated factors for protective behaviors for dental radiation exposure (PBDRE) among dental hygienists using the health belief model (HBM). The HBM, which is composed of perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action, explains preventive behavior. In this study, self-efficacy and modifying factors were additionally applied to the HBM. The subjects of the study were 204 dental hygienists who were working at hospitals or clinics in Korea. An online survey was conducted to measure PBDRE-related factors based on the HBM and self-efficacy. The collected data were analyzed using frequency analysis, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Regarding modifying factors, performance was found to be high when protection facilities were sufficient (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) and low when radiation education was not received (β = −0.16, p < 0.05). Among the HBM factors, cues to action for PBDRE (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) was the most influential factor in the performance of PBDRE, and the effect of its perceived benefits on radiation exposure was also high (β = 0.17, p < 0.001). Regarding the performance of PBDRE according to the HBM, providing education programs on protection can stimulate appropriate cues to action to perform PBDRE. In addition, if the benefits of PBDRE are highlighted, the performance of PBDRE by dental hygienists is increased.

Impact of Health Perception and Knowledge on Genetic Testing Decisions Using the Health Belief Model

PURPOSE Early detection of cancer risk is essential as it is associated with a higher chance of survival, more successful treatment, and improved quality of life. Genetic testing helps at-risk patients estimate the likelihood of developing cancer in a lifetime. This study aims to indentify the factors (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and self-efficacy) that impact one's decision to take the genetic test. METHODS We examined the impacts of different factors of the health belief model on the engagement of patients in genetic testing using data from the National Cancer Institute's 2020 cross-sectional nationally representative data published in 2021. Complete surveys were answered by 3,865 participants (weighted population size = 253,815,197). All estimates were weighted to be nationally representative of the US population using the jackknife weighting method for parameter estimation. We used multivariable logistic regression to test our hypotheses for patients who have taken the genetic test for cancer risk detection. We adjusted the multivariate model for age, education, income, race, sex, cancer history, familial cancer history, and education. RESULTS We tested five hypotheses using the health belief model. Respondents who had genetic testing were more likely to rely on their health care providers and genetic counselors to make their decisions. Respondents who had genetic tests also reported less reliability on other sources than doctors: for the internet and social media (odds ratio = 0.33; P < .001) and for journals and magazines (odds ratio = 0.48; P = .007). CONCLUSION The findings show that patients generally rely on suggestions from their health care providers and counselors in genetic testing decisions. These findings also indicate that health care providers play a critical role in helping patients decide whether to use genetic testing to detect cancer risk in the early stages.

Assessing knowledge and self-report intention from COVID-19 symptoms based on the Health Belief Model among international students in Heilongjiang, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundA COVID-19 outbreak has been contained in China through effective prevention measures with the collaboration of the citizens. However, there is resistance to self-reported symptoms as required in the international student community. This study explored knowledge level and symptoms reporting behaviours toward COVID-19 among international students.MethodsAn online cross-sectional investigation was conducted among 119 international students across Heilongjiang province and questionnaires implemented through WeChat between 1 and 25 March 2020. The results were explained using descriptive Χ2 test and binary logistic regression analysis using SPSS V.20.ResultsIn total, 119 international students participated, with a response rate of 90.16%. Of the 119 respondents, 96 (80.7%) knew COVID-19 symptoms, 109 (91.6%) took cognisance of questions on the importance of the maintenance of wearing masks and 113 (95%) on questions regarding hand hygiene in the prevention of disease transmission. However, results show that there were still large gaps in knowledge about questions regarding the virus and the treatment methods (many participants incorrectly believed that the virus could be kill by drinking alcohol or smoking). In addition, more than half of the participants declared compliance with positive health behaviours, however 27.7% did not agree with vaccination (if any), and 31.1% did not agree to be quarantined after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Furthermore, 20 participants (16, 80%) expressed an inclination to deliberately withhold symptoms. Variables in the Health Belief Model showed a significant association with behavioural change.ConclusionFrom our study, we found that there is evident knowledge about COVID-19 among international students, although orientation and sensitisation are still required. Those who were aware of the benefits of reporting, the severity of COVID-19 and the legal consequences of deliberately concealing information showed a greater willingness to report; conversely, those who believed reporting is very inconvenient and feared being quarantined after reporting showed less willingness to report. A study focusing on international students’ knowledge and behaviour amid the pandemic will provide information for countries to cut off the chain of disease transmission of all variants of COVID-19.