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. 2015 Jun;6(2):139-42.
doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2014.12.001. Epub 2014 Dec 16.

Predictors of Hepatitis B Preventive Behavioral Intentions in Healthcare Workers

Mohammad Ali Morowatishaifabad  1 , Mohammad Javad Zare Sakhvidi  2 , Mahdi Gholianavval  1 , Darioush Masoudi Boroujeni  1 , Mahdi Mirzaei Alavijeh  1
Affiliations

Predictors of Hepatitis B Preventive Behavioral Intentions in Healthcare Workers

Mohammad Ali Morowatishaifabad et al. Saf Health Work. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers' practices regarding hepatitis B have an important effect on the control of this problem in workplaces.

Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was used to investigate the role of knowledge, cues to action, and risk perceptions as predictors of preventive behavioral intentions for hepatitis B among healthcare works in Broujen, Iran (n = 150). History of hepatitis B vaccination, hepatitis B surface antigen test, and demographic characteristics were investigated. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were established.

Results: Those who had a history of hepatitis B surface antigen test had a statistically significant higher level of risk perceptions (30.89 ± 4.08 vs. 28.41 ± 3.93, p < 0.01) and preventive behavioral intentions (5.05 ± 1.43 vs. 4.45 ± 1.29, p < 0.01). The mean score of cues to action was significantly correlated with age and work history (r = 0.20, p = 0.02 and r = 0.19, p = 0.02). Preventive behavioral intentions were significantly correlated with cues to action and risk perceptions but not with knowledge level. Cognitional factors were responsible for a 17% change in observed variance of preventive behavioral intentions, which was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Risk perceptions were the most important determinant of preventive behavioral intentions for hepatitis B among health personnel; thus, emphasizing risk perceptions is recommended in educational programs aimed at increasing health personnel's practices regarding hepatitis B.

Keywords: health care workers; hepatitis B; occupational exposure; risk perceptions.

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