Atopic Dermatitis: Preventing and Managing the Itch That Rashes, and a Case for the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) for Health Behavior Change for Educational Interventions

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial disease affected by a host of genetic, environmental, socioeconomic and demographic influences, that induce the atopic immune response in predisposed individuals. Despite treatment with topical corticosteroids to reduce skin inflammation, emollients to improve the skin barrier, and avoidance of inflammatory triggers, many patients report progressive symptoms. Management strategies are developed as modifiable environmental influences are identified. Managing atopic dermatitis requires adaptive changes in health behavior involving the patient and often the caregiver. Multi-theory models (MTM) have not yet been used in AD interventions but may prove beneficial as they use behavior concepts to predict both initiation and sustenance in education health interventions. A comprehensive approach fosters such changes by using psychological and educational strategies as adjuncts to conventional therapy. This article reviews the challenges in managing AD and the potential impact of behavioral theories. This is designed to strengthen the argument for using an MTM model in future studies of AD.

Explaining Correlates of Cervical Cancer Screening among Minority Women in the United States

“…The maximum likelihood method was used for estimation. Multiple indices of goodness-of-fit were used: the relative chi-square (χ2/df; cut-off values: <2-5), the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA; close and acceptable fit are considered for values <0.05 and <0.11, respectively), the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI; acceptable values are ≥0.90) [44,45]. For each model, the overall fit, significance of structural paths, and amount of variability of the latent variables accounted for by the observed variables were assessed [39,45,46].…”

“…There is a need to focus on newer models, such as the fourth-generation Multi-theory Model (MTM) of health behavior, to explain correlates of cervical cancer screening among minority women in the U.S. The MTM has been used in previous health behavior studies, such as for COVID-19, sleep, HPV vaccination, mammography, and melanoma, but to date, researchers have not tested the MTM on cervical cancer screening [43][44][45][46][47][48]. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of cervical cancer screening by Pap test using MTM as a theoretical paradigm in U.S. minority women.…”