Predictors of HIV-Preventive Behavior Changes Among HIV-Infected Patients in Iran: Application of the Extended Health Belief Model

Abstract

Background: One mode of HIV transmission is through the high-risk behaviors among people who are HIV-positive. It is, therefore, exceedingly important to understand the factors predicting preventive healthy behaviors regarding HIV transmission in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the extended Health Belief Model (HBM) in predicting preventive behavior changes among HIV-infected patients in Iran. Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the census sampling was applied and 139 HIV-positive patients in Saravan, Zarandieh, and Sarbaz cities of Iran were selected to participate in this study. In total, 131 participants completed and returned the anonymous self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire included demographic questions, HBM constructs, and the questions of Zimet social support. Data analysis was performed using SPSS18. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The HBM constructs with and without social support accounted for 62% and 56% of the behavior variance, respectively. In the first model (HBM construct alone), perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and benefits were the significant predictors. In the second model (HBM developed with social support), perceived barriers, social support, self-efficacy, and benefits were the better predictors of preventive behaviors, in sequence (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the extended model of HBM predicted preventive behaviors better than the original HBM did. However, more studies are needed to examine the efficacy of the extended HBM in predicting preventive behaviors.

The effect of educational program based on the theory of planned behavior on HIV prevention skills

“…The TPB emphases on peoples' attitude and beliefs, and it is an effective model of behavior change in health education programs [7]. According to Ajzen [17], a person's action is determined by behavioral intentions, which in turn are influenced by an attitude towards the behavior and subjective norms (SN).…”

“…Health staff, especially nurses and midwives as well as students of these two disciplines, are the most exposed to this deadly disease. On the other hand, they are in a good position to prevent and educate the community about AIDS, to improve attitudes, beliefs, and ultimately, health behaviors [7][8][9]. Since educational interventions need to understand attitudes and beliefs of population, and due to the complexity of true nature of relationship between them and health behaviors, health education and health education theories are employed [10].…”

“…Since educational interventions need to understand attitudes and beliefs of population, and due to the complexity of true nature of relationship between them and health behaviors, health education and health education theories are employed [10]. Therefore, behavior analysis is more efficient with the use of behavior change theories [7]. These theories play a key role in the design and implementation of health education programs [11].…”

Explaining the perspective of people living with HIV on health‐promoting behaviours based on Pender's model: A directed content analysis

“…Similarly, the participants in the Chimoyi et al (2022) study had a good understanding of the importance of healthy behaviours and continuous performance. Karimy et al (2016) regarded perceived self-efficacy as the strongest predictor of healthy behaviours among PLHIV. On the contrary, taking responsibility for one's health and adopting a healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact on treating PLHIV and also on the spread of the virus as a result of adherence to medicines and thereby reducing the risk of transmission (Ebrahimbabaie et al, 2017).…”

The Prevalence of Preventive behaviors and associated factors during early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among Iranian People: An Application of Health Belief Model

“…People with a higher level of self-efficacy have higher motivation and greater awareness of environmental opportunities. They increase their efforts in the event of a failure [ 22 , 23 ].…”