Purpose: To identify predictors that influence tobacco smoking cessation among Jordanian college students and to test the utility of the Trans-Theoretical Model for future cessation programs in this population. Method: A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected college students (18 to 22 years of age) who were smokers was conducted at two Jordanian universities. The surveys included the: Tobacco Use Questionnaire; Tobacco Use Self-Efficacy; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; Barriers to Cessation; and the Fagerstrom Tobacco Nicotine Dependency Scale. Due to the complex nature of the contextual and individual factors related to smoking behaviour, a structural equation modeling approach was used to identify variables that may influence participation in tobacco smoking cessation programs. Results: There was a 75% response rate with a total of 800 students (90% male) completing the survey. Three factors were identified as major contributors toward quitting smoking: a) a high stage of readiness, b) previous experience with barriers to smoking cessation, and c) past experience with quitting. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the value of smoking cessation programs should not be measured on recidivism rates alone. The implications are that such programs should make return to treatment easy and as guilt free as possible to improve ultimate long-term smoking abstinence.

Significant differences in correlates of breast cancer were found between the cases and the controls.

No abstract

The Greek version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale is a valid and reliable tool for use among Cypriot women that can be used to evaluate their beliefs about breast cancer and BSE and for planning interventions to improve these beliefs.

This descriptive study assesses the beliefs held by a group of young Jordanian women toward mammography utilization as a screening procedure for breast cancer. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is the theoretical framework of this study. Champion's (1993) translated HBM tool was utilized as the self-administered questionnaire that was filled in by all participants in this study. The sample consisted of young (< or = 45 years) Jordanian women chosen out of convenience from among those visiting one of the largest maternal and child health centers in Amman. The overall results indicated favorable beliefs toward the use of mammography, coupled with the majority of women (76%) voicing their agreement with the overall benefits of mammography, and 24% were either not in agreement with or unsure about these benefits. Although about half of the sample (49%) perceived barriers to utilizing mammography, the vast majority (85%), reported an overall agreement with the statements of the health motivation subscale. There were no significant differences in women's beliefs as a function of their subgroups of age, education, or insurance status. Nevertheless, when compared with a group of older women who had undergone mammography, significant differences (in favor of the older group) were reported between the two samples, especially in terms of the responses given to selected preventive statements such as "wanting to discover health problems early" (t = 2.27, p = .024) and "eating a well-balanced meal" (t = 1.92, p = .05). Implications for nursing practice, such as recognizing culturally specific barriers and enhancing health education programs to trigger mammography utilization, were addressed.

This study may provide Jordanian and other nurses with a theory-based educational intervention to improve the quality of nursing care and reduce costs.

Intention to prostate cancer screening (PCS) is one of the major factors affecting the long-term success of population-based PCS programmes. The aim of this study is to explore strong factors linked to intention to PCS among older Jordanian adults using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Data were obtained from Jordanian older adults, aged 40 years and over, who visited a comprehensive health care centre within a ministry of health. A pilot test was conducted to investigate the internal consistency of the Champion Health Belief Model Scale for PCS and the clarity of survey questions. Sample characteristics and rates of participation in PCS were examined using means and frequencies. Important factors associated with intention to PCS were examined using bivariate correlation and standard multiple linear regression analysis. About 13% of the respondents were adherent to PCS over the prior decade. Four out of the seven HBM-driven factors (perceived susceptibility, benefits and barriers to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and health motivation) were statistically significant. Those with greater levels of susceptibility, benefits of PSA test and health motivation and lower levels of barriers to PSA testing were having more intention to participate in PCS. Family history, presence of urinary symptoms, age and knowledge about prostate cancer significantly predicted the intention to PCS. Intervention programmes, which lower perceived barriers to PSA testing and increase susceptibility, benefits of PSA testing and health motivation, should be developed and implemented.

This exploratory, comparative study was conducted to assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward AIDS between a group of Jordanian and a group of American students. A convenience sample consisting of 126 senior BSN (bachelor's of nursing) students, 63 from a university in Jordan and 63 from a university in Michigan, was selected for this study. A self-administered structured questionnaire was utilized. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward AIDS in both cultures. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used. The results indicated that the American students' responses concerning knowledge of HIV/AIDS were significantly greater (M = 73%) in comparison with Jordanian students' (M = 52%). The American students also reported more positive attitudes toward AIDS than those of their Jordanian counterparts. In terms of prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, more American students (82.5%) approved of the use of condoms as a precautionary measure toward the spread of the disease when compared to Jordanian students.