A predictive model of genital warts preventive behaviors among women in the south of Iran: application of health belief model

Abstract

Background Genital wart (GW) is known as an infectious disease. Besides the infection, it is associated with a higher risk of cervical neoplasia and cancer in the infected population. The present research aimed to explore the predictors of GW preventive behaviors based on the health belief model (HBM). Methods The present analytical and cross-sectional research was conducted in 2019 among 720 women between 15 and 49 years of age in Bandar Abbas in the south of Iran. The sample was selected in a multi-stratified clustering method. The participants responded to a reliable and valid researcher-made questionnaire which explored demographic information, knowledge-related items and the model constructs. A multivariate linear regression analysis was run to determine the predictors of adopting GW preventive behaviors. A path analysis was also run to test the direct and indirect effects of the model constructs on the dependent variable. Results The mean and standard deviation of participants’ age was 30.43 ± 8.697 years. As Pearson’s correlation coefficients showed, knowledge (r = 0.197, p < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (r = 0.434, p < 0.001), severity (r = 0.463, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (r = 0.434, p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with the adoption of GWs preventive behaviors. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that self-efficacy (B = − 0.010, p < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (B = 0.070, p < 0.001) and severity (B = 0.078, p < 0.001) were the predictors of GW preventive behaviors. Path analysis showed that perceived susceptibility, severity and self-efficacy directly affected healthy behaviors while perceived benefits and barriers indirectly affected the preventive behaviors. Conclusions The present findings help to promote knowledge of the predictors of GW preventive behaviors. HBM can be a useful theoretical framework to evaluate the preventive behavior of the disease and help to reduce the rate of sexually-transmitted infections including GW.

The Risk Factors Associated with the Incidence of Genital Warts in Iran

“…Recent studies have described the importance of comprehensive sexual education for women in Iran and the need for wider and adequate distribution of the HPV vaccine in Iran [21,22]. It is important to note that our sample size primarily consists of women who lived in the vicinity of the capital city.…”

An Empirical Study on Digital Feedback Behavior of Young People in COVID-19 with Health Belief Model and UTAUT Model

“…Houlden et al proposed a health misinformation intervention that relies on the health belief model to study how public health can respond to the misinformation crisis beyond COVID-19 [11]. Shahsavari et al applied a health belief model to study the prevention of female genital warts in southern Iran [12].…”

Yüksekokul Öğrenci̇leri̇ni̇n Human Papi̇lloma Vi̇rüs Enfeksi̇yonu Ve Aşilamasina İli̇şki̇n Bi̇lgi̇ Düzeyleri̇ Ve Sağlik İnançlari

“…Sonuç olarak, HPV ve rahim ağzı kanserine karşı düşük duyarlılık ve ciddiyet algıları ile birleşen bilgi eksikliği, üniversite kadınlarının HPV de dahil olmak üzere cinsel yolla bulaşan hastalıklara yakalanma olasılığını artırır ve bu nedenle rahim ağzı kanserine karşı daha hassastırlar 26. İran'ın güneyindeki Bender Abbas'ta 15-49 yaş arası 720 kadın arasında gerçekleştirilen çalışmada; algılanan duyarlılık, şiddet ve öz-yeterliliğin sağlıklı davranışları doğrudan etkilediği, algılanan fayda ve engellerin ise önleyici davranışları dolaylı olarak etkilediği gösterilmiştir 27. Atina'da kız öğrencilerle yapılan çalışmada, HPV aşılama oranlarına karşı algılanan engeller için yüksek puan alan katılımcıların aşılanmadıklarını bildirme olasılıkları daha yüksek bulunmuştur 19.…”