Measuring the Structures of the Health Belief Model Integrated With Health Literacy in Predicting University Students' Adoption of Smoking Preventive Behaviors Publisher Pubmed



Panahi R¹ ; Hosseini N² ; Ramezankhani A³ ; Anbari M⁴ ; Amjadian M⁵ ; Dehghankar L⁶ ; Niknami S⁷
Source: Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene Published:2022

Abstract

Objectives. One of the priorities of public health in reducing smoking is to prevent young people from becoming smokers. Health literacy (HL), smoking, and preventive behaviors are related. Moreover, HL has a potential impact on strengthening the Health Belief Model (HBM). Considering the high prevalence of smoking among university students, the current study was conducted to measure the structures of the HBM integrated with HL in predicting university students' adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. Methods. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Three hundred and forty dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Teheran, Iran) in 2016, were selected through single-stage cluster sampling for the study. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM and the HL inventory for adults (HELIA). The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version.16. Results. The multiple regression analysis showed that the application of health information from five dimensions of HL, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and decision-making dimensions were the predictors of smoking prevention. Also, the structures of this integrated model were able to anticipate 36.5% of the behavioral changes. Conclusion. The HBM integrated with HL can be used as an appropriate framework for designing educational programs to encourage university students to adopt smoking preventive behaviors. © Copyright by Pacini Editore Srl, Pisa, Italy.