Background: Systembolaget is one of the distinctive features of Sweden. It is the only store allowed to sell alcohol above 3.5% of alcohol by volume. The aim of this government-owned company is to educate Swedish customers to engage into responsible drinking patterns. To do so, they make use of advertising strategies depicted on several channels with the purpose of increasing individuals’ knowledge and thus, enhance public health. Besides, Scandinavian cultures are associated with high-risk behaviours regarding the average amount of alcohol drunk. Several studies underlined that students regularly engage into binge drinking and other irresponsible behaviours. Purpose: The aim of this study is to emphasize the effect of Systembolaget’s communication strategy on the attitudes, intentions, and behaviour of Swedish students. To fill the research gap and fulfil the objectives, a combination of the Health-Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action is an adequate mean. Method: To gather the material needed for the research and uncover new insights, we chose an exploratory design. The semi-inductive approach allows to investigate the theoretical concepts while being able to use induction and thus, use the theory to both collect and analyse the data. We conducted semi-structured personal interviews on a sample of 20 Swedish students since they are familiar with Systembolaget and considered as a high-risk population in the drinking habits. To distil the data, we selected content analysis allowing the categorisation of the information in the different theoretical concepts. Conclusion: Systembolaget’s communication has a notable effect on Swedish students. It has been uncovered that the messages create favourable attitudes and thus, intentions to reduce alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, individual experiences, beliefs, and other factors of influence imply that there is an important intention-behaviour gap. Systembolaget displays information and appeals to influence the beliefs and knowledge of individual to educate them and not directly triggers specific behaviours.

Magister Curationis - Mcur / According to Brown (2010), influenza kills and hospitalises thousands of people every year, about thirty-five thousand and two hundred thousand respectively. Some studies have shown that one of the major reasons that people do not take part in preventative behaviour concerning influenza would be some misconceptions and lack of knowledge. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions and attitudes of nursing students at a University in the Western Cape about influenza and their prevention and health seeking behaviour against influenza infection. This topic is important as nursing students are a part of the population group that is frequently exposed to influenza, either at their institutions of learning or in the hospitals and clinics, where they come into contact with patients in their roles as health care workers. A comprehensive review of the literature around perceptions and attitudes and health seeking behaviours regarding influenza was undertaken and considered by the researcher. Most of the literature reviewed came from Western countries as not much research has been done in Africa on the topic. From the literature reviewed, the researcher decided to use the Health Belief Model as a conceptual framework for this study as it has proven to be relatively effective in previous studies of this nature as well as in predicting people's health seeking behaviours.

In Peru, lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) results in 6,600 deaths per year that represents approximately 3.9% of total deaths. Three thousand and nine hundred of these deaths were due to diarrheal diseases (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2008). Systematic reviews suggest that interventions to improve microbial quality of drinking water are successful in reducing diarrheal diseases (Fewtrell et al., 2005; Clasen et al., 2007; Fry et al., 2013). Interventions for household water treatment and safe storage to ensure safe drinking water reduce diarrhea by 31-52% (WHO/UNICEF, 2013). The SAWYER PointONE filter, a portable and adaptable membrane filtration device as small as the hand, is one point-of-use (POU) technology option for populations that rely on unsafe water from an improved source, or for areas that still rely on unimproved water sources for drinking and cooking. The filter functions strictly through mechanical exclusion accomplished by a hollow fiber membrane. The filters are certified for 0.1 μm as the largest pore size; therefore preventing diarrhea-causing bacteria such as E. coli, cholera, and typhoid to pass through the membrane. This research focuses on SAWYER water filter users who use a filter purchased through a sales agent in Independencia, Ica, Peru. Fifteen households in 9 communities and a total of 39 individuals were surveyed with the overall goal of better understanding the adoption of the SAWYER water filter as a POU water treatment technology in relation to three themes of: 1) household socio-economic factors 2) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related characteristic and behaviors of users, and 3) Health Belief Model factors. The results showed SAWYER water filter users to have higher socio-economic status on average. All households had a high Progress out of Poverty Index® (PPI®) score. The heads of households, both male and female, were found to be more educated than the national average. Female heads of house were more educated than the male heads of house. There was a significant difference in the education levels of the female heads of house as compared to the national levels (p =0.006), with the female heads of house in the study having superior university degrees at three times the national percentage. The heads of house were also married at a higher percentage than the national average. SAWYER water filter users also have greater access to media than the regional average. All homes were equipped with at least one TV with cable. Results showed a significant difference in households having a computer within the home as compared to the regional percentage (p < 0 .001) and also in having Internet in the home as compared to the regional percentage (p < 0.001). Most houses (13/15) have running water all the time and all have a sink, shower, and toilet. Indoor connection and sewage type were not found to be statistically different from national average. Most people (67%) reported to always use soap and several participants mentioned liquid handwashing soap. Users reported handwashing after going to the bathroom (64.1%) more than before eating (38.5%) or cooking (46%). The Health Belief Model survey revealed that SAWYER water filter users perceive diarrhea as more severe for children, even though they do consider themselves susceptible. Clear benefits of adopting the filter include saving money, improving water quality, and saving time, but the barriers to filter adoption were unclear. Most users had contact with another person who demonstrated or recommended the filter prior to adopting the filter, highlighting the importance of interpersonal contact for promoting filter use. Turbidity during rainy season was also found to be an important cue to action.

Influenza is a major concern across healthcare environments. Annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) remains essential for maintaining the health and availability of HCWs, as well as influenza prevention in healthcare environments. Yet, annual vaccination coverage among HCWs continues to be below recommended standards during pandemic (pH1N1) and non-pandemic (sINFLU) influenza seasons. The primary aim of this research is to inform the design and implementation of effective HCW targeted influenza vaccination campaigns via a 1) systematic review of the existing literature on HCW pH1N1 vaccination, 2) qualitative content analysis of motivators and barriers to HCW pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination, as well as 3) quantitative regression analysis of modifiable factors predicting pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination. The qualitative and quantitative analysis processes were applied to data collected from a large-scale multi-professional sample of HCWs. Findings from all analysis sections were found to be consistent. Most attitudes, beliefs, motivators, and barriers influencing HCW influenza vaccination were similar for pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccinations. Yet, a number of notable differences were also identified. HCWs were likely to accept vaccination if they perceived, 1) vaccination to be safe, 2) vaccination to be protective against influenza for self, loved ones, patients or communities, and 3) influenza to be a serious and severe infection to self and others. Additionally, encouragement from supervisors and colleagues, physicians, and loves ones also enhanced vaccine uptake. Most HCWs avoided vaccination because of 1) limited knowledge or misinformation about vaccination, 2) concern for vaccine induced side-effects and 3) assuming vaccination was not a requirement for healthy adults. With respect to pH1N1 vaccination, mass media communications, perceptions of novel vaccinations, and rapid vaccine development processes especially deterred HCW pH1N1 vaccination. Future vaccination programs targeting HCWs should look towards influencing HCWs’ vaccination attitudes and promoting pro-vaccination cultures in healthcare workplaces.

The present investigation assessed Health Belief Model (HBM) variables and a measure of physical activity for both younger and older adults. Results of discriminant analyses suggest HBM variables and physical activity can predict age-group membership with 89% accuracy. The younger sample (n = 88; M= 21.5 years) was significantly more anxious about aging, perceived more barriers to exercise, less control from powerful others, and more social support than the older sample (n = 56; M = 71.8 years). For the younger sample, those who perceived more benefits of exercise, had social support, were male, and were less anxious about aging were more active. For the older sample, those who perceived more benefits of exercise were more likely to be active.

Background: Cervical cancer among Black women is a major individual and public health concern. Despite advancements in medical technology and policy, disparities in cervical cancer diagnosis and mortality still exist between White and Black women, with Black women having higher rates of diagnosis (10.0 vs 7.1 per 100,000) and mortality (4.1 vs 2.0 per 100,000). Previous studies have focused heavily on barriers to obtaining cervical cancer screening among Black women and efforts to improve screening rates. Despite speculation by researchers that gaps in receipt of quality follow-up care may contribute to disparities, its role in disparate mortality rates between Black and White women has yet to be formally studied. Purpose: The goals of the present research were to (1) assess differences in Pap screening rates and (2) rates of adherence to recommended follow-up care after abnormal Pap results between Black and White women, (3) evaluate how specific factors of the Health Belief Model (HBM) influence the decision-making process for obtaining Pap screening and (4) receiving recommended follow-up Pap care, and (5) evaluate the role of ethnic centrality as a factor in health decision-making. Results: Results indicated that HBM facets functioned similarly in predicting engagement in Pap screening and follow-up care, although there were differences in the influence of different facets by race. Ethnic centrality showed little applicable influence on adherence to follow-up care among Black women. An exploratory analysis revealed that doctor recommendation was the most influential factor predicting follow-up care use for both racial groups. Conclusion: The present study offers support for increased education and training on provider recommendation of appropriate follow-up care, as well as effective provider communication of results and services using messaging that appeals to the values and concerns of patients.

In recent history, four influenza pandemics have occurred causing worldwide suffering. It is only a matter of time when a fifth pandemic will emerge. The willingness of the public to perform recommended precautionary actions is central for successful outbreak management, where the most important measure is vaccination. Trust in the health care system as well as personal perceptions of the threat of a pandemic can influence the publics willingness to perform precautionary actions. Aims: This study seeks to analyze how the public in two socioeconomically different areas of Stockholm perceive the threat of a possible future epidemic, their level of trust in the health system and what precautionary actions they are willing to perform. Methods: questioners with respondents from two socioeconomically different areas in Stockholm (Tensta and Danderyd) were gathered and have been statistically analyzed and interpreted using the health belief model and theories about trust. Results: The study showed that a higher level of perceived benefits of precautionary actions and a higher level of worriedness to get seriously ill if infected during an influenza epidemic were correlated with a higher level of willingness to follow precautionary actions. A significant association between unwillingness to vaccinate and perceived barriers to vaccination (that it can be harmful to the health) was also found. Trust in the health system was significantly lower in Tensta compared to Danderyd and higher trust in the health system was found to lead to higher perceived benefits of precautionary actions. Additionally, respondents with higher trust in information from the health care were generally more willing to vaccinate. Finally, no demographic determinants except age was shown to influence perceptions about precautionary actions and threat. Conclutions: Willingness to perform precautionary actions were influenced by worriedness, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, age and trust in the health care. Efforts might thus be needed to increase the trust in the health system in socioeconomically weak areas, as well as to increase the trust in influenza vaccination in general.

Since 1999, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks have occurred in many correctional facilities. Even after the Federal Bureau of Prisons developed clinical practice guidelines on the management of MRSA within correctional facilities, the prevalence of MRSA decreased only insignificantly. Other researchers suggested infection control compliance was equally as important as developing clinical practice guidelines in reducing the incidence of MRSA. Several studies identified the healthcare professionals' nonadherence and inconsistencies to clinical practice guidelines as contributors to MRSA transmission. Accordingly, this project was designed to develop evidence-based recommendations for improving nurse professionals' adherence to MRSA practice guidelines in correctional settings. Using the health belief model as the theoretical framework, this project examined the nurse professionals' perceptions as well as their level of knowledge regarding MRSA by using an original instrument, Knowledge and Health Beliefs Regarding MRSA Questionnaire. The study employed a quantitative design with a purposeful sample of 36 participants using social media. Through descriptive statistical analysis, it was determined that MRSA training and education were the greatest barriers among the nurse professionals in taking MRSA preventive action (64%, n = 23). Based on the findings, assessing the educational needs of the nurse professionals must become the priority when designing infection control programs. This study contributes to social change by recognizing the potential health impact of MRSA and cautions that if public health officials do not control MRSA within correctional settings, such behavior can affect the transmission of MRSA both nationally and globally.

This study applied the constructs of the health belief model (HBM) to assess women's knowledge and attitudes (i.e., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers) regarding cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine and determine whether they predict women's intentions to receive the HPV vaccine. Women aged 18 to 26 years were surveyed from a convenience sample, and were primarily well-educated White women. Using Polytomous Universal Model (PLUM) ordinal regression, it was determined that the constructs of this model could not predict women's intentions of receiving the HPV vaccine.

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the adoption of computer security software in the home computer environment. The use of the Health Belief Model as a framework to design a model to examine home user adoption of computer security provided the basis for this research. The method of the investigation was a cross-sectional study using a self-reported web-based survey to test the theoretical model derived from the Health Belief Model. The survey targeted individuals who are responsible for the selection, installation, and maintenance of software on their home computers. The data collection relied on a snowball sampling technique that recruited a total of 186 participants who completed the online survey. The research model contains a total of 26 hypothesized relationships that were tested using multiple regression analysis techniques. The research model contains six main predicting variables (perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action) and four moderating variables (age, gender, education, and prior experience of attack). The model explains 30.4% of the variance in computer security usage, the dependent variable in the research model. The results demonstrate that certain constructs found in the Health Belief Model are more effective than others in motivating individuals to utilize computer security software. Specifically, the results show that perceived vulnerability (H1), perceived barriers (H4), self-efficacy (H5), and the two-way interactions of age and barriers (H8d), education and benefits (H9c), prior experience and perceived severity (H10b), and prior experience and self-efficacy (H10e) had significant effects on computer security usage. Additionally, prior experience was found to have a significant main effect on the dependent variable. Information from this research provides evidence that the Health Belief Model can be used to study the computer security usage behavior of home computer users. Further, the relationship of perceived vulnerability and computer security usage provides a way for practitioners to increase computer security usage behavior through targeted media campaigns.