The influence of mothers' health beliefs and attitudes on prevention of infectious diseases on preventive health behaviors of late school-aged children

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in preventive health behaviors of school-age children according to their mothers' health beliefs and attitudes toward the prevention of infectious diseases. Methods: This study was conducted with 121 pairs of 4th to 6th grade elementary school children and their mothers from October 13 to October 30, 2020. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, an independent t-test, a one-way ANOVA, Sheffé’s test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis and a multiple linear regression.Result: The mean and SD of mother's health belief in preventing infectious diseases was 3.58±0.41, the mean and SD of mother's attitude toward preventing infectious diseases was 3.39±0.38, and the mean and SD of late school-age children's preventive health behavior was 3.52±0.37. The multiple linear regression results show that the children's vaccination behavior was influenced by their mothers’ perceived benefits in preventing infectious diseases. In addition, the child's vitamin C and vegetable consumption was influenced by the mother's perceived susceptibility in preventing infectious diseases, and the child's mask-wearing behavior was influenced by the mother's perceived seriousness in preventing infectious diseases. Conclusion: In order to improve the health behavior of school-aged children, programs or education are required to enhance the health beliefs and attitudes of their mothers, who were shown to affect the preventive health behavior of their children.

Knowledge, health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction among the Dutch general population: a cross-sectional study

Background Positive health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction may encourage adopting a healthy behaviour. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the knowledge, health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction among the Dutch general population and its association with the intention to change health behaviours. Methods A random sample of Dutch residents (30 to 80 years) was invited to complete an online survey. We collected data on knowledge, health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia (risk reduction) and the intention to change health behaviours. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to obtain effect estimates. Results Six hundred fifty-five participants completed the survey. In general, participants had insufficient knowledge about dementia and dementia risk reduction. Participants had relatively high scores on general health motivation and perceived benefits, but low scores on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy. Individuals with higher scores on perceived benefits and cues to action had more often the intention to change their behaviour with regard to physical activity (OR = 1.33, 95%-CI:1.11–1.58; OR = 1.13, 95%-CI:1.03–1.24, respectively) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.30, 95%-CI:1.00–1.69; OR = 1.17, 95%-CI:1.02–1.35, respectively). Younger excessive alcohol consumers with higher perceived severity scores had more often the intention to change their alcohol consumption behaviour (OR = 2.70, 95%-CI:1.04–6.97) compared to older excessive alcohol consumers. Opposite results were found for middle-aged excessive alcohol consumers (OR = 0.81, 95%-CI:0.67–0.99). Individuals who perceived more barriers had more often the intention to change their diet (OR = 1.10, 95%-CI:1.01–1.21), but less often the intention to change their smoking behaviour (OR = 0.78, 95%-CI:0.63–0.98). Moreover, less educated individuals with higher perceived benefits scores had less often the intention to change their diet (OR = 0.78, 95%-CI:0.60–0.99), while highly educated individuals with higher perceived benefits scores had more often the intention to change their diet (OR = 1.41, 95%-CI:1.12–1.78). Conclusions The knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction among the Dutch general population is insufficient to support dementia risk reduction. More education about dementia and dementia risk reduction is needed to improve health beliefs and attitudes towards dementia and dementia risk reduction in order to change health behaviour.

Health Perception and Food Choice Factors in Predicting Healthy Consumption Among Elderly

The main objective of the paper is to explore the impact of health perception and food choice factors on healthy food consumption among elderly and to indicate how different food choice motives influence the eating behaviour of elderly population. In our research we explore six food choice factors and their manifestation in attitudes towards healthy consumption. The purpose of the exploration of health perception is to identify seniors beliefs about food and health‑related aspects. Empirical research was conducted on a random sample of 400 elderly participants aged above 65 years and living in their own flats. Non‑probability sampling in the form of convenience sampling was employed. The relationship between health beliefs and attitudes towards healthy eating behaviour was confirmed with employing multiple regression analysis. We conclude that both health beliefs and food choice factors investigated in the research are important determinants of seniors’ healthy consumption, however with different effect on healthy eating behaviour.