Associations among risk perception, health efficacy, and health behaviors for cardiovascular disease: an application of risk perception attitude framework

Abstract

BackgroundThere is currently a pervasive prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk worldwide and an inadequate amount of action is being taken to promote healthy lifestyle habits. The risk perception attitude (RPA) framework, which classifies individuals based on their risk perception and efficacy belief, enables us to predict their preventive behaviors. We applied the RPA framework to analyze CVD prevention behaviors among Chinese adults and extended its application to CVD objective risk.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed in two sites in Zhejiang Province, from March to August 2022, which contained self-reported CVD risk perception, objective CVD risk, efficacy belief, physical activity, healthy diet, and covariates. We used the RPA framework to categorize participants into four groups, then analysis was conducted to estimate inter-group differences in healthy behaviors. We further conducted a hierarchical logistic regression analysis with individuals' health behaviors as the dependent variable, using three blocks of independent variables.ResultsAmong 739 participants, healthy physical activity and healthy diet had significant differences among four RPA groups, post hoc tests clarified that the proportion of respondents with healthy PA in the responsive group (61.6%) was significantly higher than that in the other three groups. Risk perception and efficacy belief significantly predicted health behavior against CVD; the relationship between absolute CVD risk and health behavior was moderated by efficacy belief.ConclusionsEarly CVD risk screening is crucial, but tailored support and a proper understanding of personal risk are essential to promote healthy behaviors. Developing communication and behavioral counseling intervention strategies on the basis of the RPA framework has the potential to promote healthy behaviors for CVD prevention.

Effects of message framing and risk perception on health communication for optimum cardiovascular disease primary prevention: a protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled study

“…Previous risk communication intervention studies were utilized to estimate the sample size. In our previous survey ( 46 ), we observed a baseline proportion of healthy lifestyle adherence at approximately 30% among participants with familiar sample characteristics. For the intervention groups, we anticipate a relative increase of at least 50% ( 47 ), with an expected difference of 25% between the gain- and loss-framed groups ( 39 ).…”

Effects of the Omaha System- and HeartScore®-Based Impaired-Risk Perception Reduction Program on the Risk Perception of Individuals Aged 50–65 Years: A One-Group Pre-Test–Post-Test Study

“…Studies have shown that an individual's selfefficacy plays a more significant role than their risk perception in influencing their health behaviors. 26 Further, besides BMI perception, nutritional behavior self-efficacy can also be assessed.…”

“…18,24 A study suggests that impaired risk perception should be considered as an additional risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. 25,26 The results of a study conducted to evaluate the perception and knowledge of cardiovascular risk among Italian women revealed an urgent need to recognize and address cardiovascular risk as a genuine health concern, and interventions should be planned accordingly. 27 In the first phase of this study, only one-fifth of the participants were able to accurately identify their risks, and approximately half of them overestimated their risks.…”