Smith M, Mercado-Sierra M. Health beliefs as a predictor of screening behaviors among college students.
SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH 2021;
36:460-473. [PMID:
33823751 DOI:
10.1080/19371918.2021.1905130]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Twenty million people live with a sickle cell disease (SCD) diagnosis globally; about 100,000 reside in the United States of America (US). Although SCD continues to threaten the health, mostly of particular groups in the US, there is a lack of knowledge on risk factors such as unawareness of carrier status, inheritance patterns, and resistance to SCT screening among childbearing age individuals. A cross-sectional survey design using a modified version of the Health Belief Survey assessed college students' SCD beliefs and screening behaviors. Four hundred sixteen students from a North Texas university campus participated in the survey. Although most participants believed that knowing their carrier status was important, only 26% were aware of their status. Findings demonstrated that health beliefs were a significant predictor of screening behaviors. The Universal, Selective, and Indicated Prevention Approach was suggested as a suitable approach to educate, transform health beliefs, and augment screening participation.
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