Mediation Effect of Health Beliefs in the Relationship Between Health Knowledge and Uptake of Mammography in a National Breast Cancer Screening Program in Taiwan

The COVID-19 vaccination decision-making preferences of elderly people: a discrete choice experiment

COVID-19 is a continuing threat to global public health security. For elderly people, timely and effective vaccination reduces infection rates in this group and safeguards their health. This paper adopted an offline Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to research the preference for COVID-19 vaccination amongst Chinese adults aged 50 years and above. Through multinomial logistic regression analysis, our DCE leverages five attributes-the risk of adverse reactions, protective duration, injection doses, injection period, and effectiveness-each of which is split into three to four levels. The risk of adverse reaction and the protective duration were demonstrated to be determinants of vaccination preference. Moreover, it was found that socio demographic factors like region, self-health assessment and the number of vaccinated household members can strengthen or weaken the effects of vaccine attributes. In conclusion, the preferences of the elderly population should be considered when developing COVID-19 vaccination programs for this population in China. Accordingly, the results may provide useful information for policymakers to develop tailored, effectively vaccination strategies.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Indian Immigrants in Australia towards Oral Cancer and Their Perceived Role of General Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral cancer is highly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. With the increasing immigration of Indians to Australia, a potential rise in oral cancer cases can be expected if they continue engaging in oral cancer risk practices. Unfortunately, little is known on this topic in the Australian context. This study aimed to generate new insights into this area by examining Indian immigrants’ knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding oral cancer in Australia and their perceived role of general practitioners in raising oral cancer awareness. Exploring these aspects could determine the oral cancer risk behaviours of Indians in Australia along with any contributing factors which could help identify potential preventative strategies. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 164 Indians across Australia. Data were analysed using SPSS software with descriptive statistics. Respondents had varying levels of knowledge about oral cancer (mean total score 61%), particularly around risk factors such as alcohol and areca nut use as well as oral cancer-related signs/symptoms. The majority (87.7%) had not received any information about oral cancer in a health care setting but were receptive (71–90%) to general practitioners playing a more active role in this area. Respondents were engaging in positive preventative oral health care though few were currently (6.7%) or previously (14.7%) chewing tobacco preparations. Further research is needed through larger studies to confirm the study findings and inform the development of culturally tailored strategies particularly involving general practitioners, to raise oral cancer awareness and provide early screening for Indian immigrants.

A Qualitative Focus Group Study for the Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Informal Caregivers Toward Breast Cancer: Perceptions of Informal Caregivers and Healthcare Professionals in Three European Countries

Breast cancer (BC) early screening and detection is a main component for the outcome of the treatment and overall survival. Informal caregivers (ICGs) are less likely to initiate early BC screening methods and utilize health services. The purpose of this study was to explore ICGs’ knowledge and perceptions, including educational and training opportunities or barriers, in promoting early detection practices for BC, as well as healthcare professionals’ (HCP) respective perceptions concerning ICGs in order to identify the need of selected health literacy interventions. A qualitative focus group study was implemented in 3 European countries, using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 26 ICGs and 18 HCPs were involved. The themes that emerged from the focus groups interviews included knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs concerning BC; motivational factors and barriers that influence early screening practices and personal involvement. Motivators and barriers concerning BC screening adherence were linked to knowledge, beliefs and perceptions. Health promotion strategies and user-friendly tools should be developed, targeting on the implementation of BC early detection practices among informal caregivers.

Health Belief, Behavior Intention, and Health Behaviors Related to Colorectal Cancer Screening in Taiwan

Health belief and behavior intention affect subsequent health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of health belief, behavior intention, and health behavior, and to identify the factors related to health behaviors in adults receiving colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in Taiwan. This cross-sectional study recruited patients receiving a CRC screening from the cancer screening outpatient department of a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Demographic and health characteristics were recorded, and participants were assessed using Champion’s health belief model scale, cancer screening intention scale, and the health protective behavior scale. Of the 125 subjects (aged 49–75 years), 27.2% reported active screening; the rest passively received screening after doctor referral. Those who were doctor-referred had lower levels of health behavior, including general behavior, self-knowledge, and health care. Positive health behaviors related to CRC screening were associated with not smoking, greater seriousness in health belief, more confidence in health belief, consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, and motivation for CRC screening; these factors explained 35.0% of the variance in positive health behaviors related to CRC screening. A comprehensive education program encouraging CRC cancer screening should include access to available resources and encourage positive health belief and behavior intention related to this important cancer screening activity.