Explaining the Role of Health Belief Model Constructs On Physical Puberty Health Among Teen Girls: Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Background:The puberty as a stage of life is an important developmental process. Teen girls have numerous health care needs and their specific aspects should be considered. Objectives: In this study we applied explanatory model to determine the role of health belief model constructs on physical puberty health among teen girls. Materials and Methods:This correlational cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011, and attempted to determine the total, indirect and direct effects of health belief model construct on physical puberty health behaviors. The population studied included 61 girls aged from 12 to 19 years from welfare boarding centers in Iran (Tehran), and selected by convenience sampling method. Data on demographic characteristics, health belief model constructs and physical puberty health behaviors were collected using an interview-based questionnaire, and analyzed by structural equation modeling. Results:The perceived variables such as susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and cues to action showed their direct effects on physical puberty health behaviors. Also perceived benefits affected physical puberty health behaviors indirectly through perceived susceptibility. The total effect of perceived benefits on physical puberty health behaviors was 0.292. There are positive significant relationships between perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and physical puberty health behaviors as well as path coefficient. SE for each of them were, (0.27 (0.11)), (0.32 (0.09)) and (0.2 (0.06)), respectively. Conclusions: Since benefits of physical puberty health behavior were the most important predictor of this puberty health behavior, it is concluded that increasing the benefits along with improving each of the perceived susceptibility, severity, barriers and cues to action can lead to increasing physical puberty health behavior and health promotion.

Designing and Evaluating Educational Intervention to Improve Preventive Behavior Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Endemic Areas in Iran

“…Increased understanding of the benefits of having healthy behaviors and reducing the barriers of engaging in these behaviors also significantly stimulates healthy behaviors, including preventive behaviors against CL [7,15,28]. Therefore, it is recommended that specific educational approaches, such as group discussion and role-playing are used when implementing educational interventions to promote preventive behaviors against CL [26,27].…”

“…Moreover, the cues to action construct had a direct, positive, and statistically significant effect on the preventive behavior against CL. Based on the results of other studies, the cues to action has been a significant predictor of adopting healthy behaviors, including preventive behaviors against CL [15,28]. It has also been suggested that educational interventions are effective in improving the cues to health action [7], and cues to action is a predictor of healthy behaviors [15,28].…”

“…Based on the results of other studies, the cues to action has been a significant predictor of adopting healthy behaviors, including preventive behaviors against CL [15,28]. It has also been suggested that educational interventions are effective in improving the cues to health action [7], and cues to action is a predictor of healthy behaviors [15,28]. It is therefore recommended that a variety of educational methods, such as booklets, pamphlets, posters, visual media, such as television, radio are used.…”

The effectiveness of educational program based on health belief model on promotion of puberty health concepts among teen girls: a cross-sectional study in north of Iran

“…The data collection tool was one questionnaire by Kazemi et al and Shirzadi et al [ 15 , 16 ]. To obtain the questionnaire validity, the tool was examined by seven faculty members and research experts (three health specialists, two obstetricians, and two statisticians and epidemiologists).…”

“…Therefore, theory-based research in diverse populations and cultures opens new avenues for social psychologists interested in youth development, health, and education [ 13 ]. Based on the results of one study on girls' puberty health in Tehran, perceived benefits and barriers were the most important predictive constructs [ 14 ] The results of two intervention studies based on HBM in adolescent female students indicated the effectiveness of HBM-based education in adopting puberty behaviors, thereby promoting maturity and improving the physical performance and perception of the individuals [ 15 , 16 ]. It should be noted that a similar study has not been conducted in Guilan province.…”