Assessing the Predictors of Intention and Behavior in Using Virtual Social Networks Among Students of the Yazd University of Medical Sciences Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
Journal Title: Journal of Community Health Research - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: There has been a recent spike in the use of virtual social networks. However, only a few studies have explored factors that influence the use of social networks by using theories of health education among students. The present study aims to determine the predictive factors of virtual social networks among students of the Yazd University of Medical Sciences based on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior. Methods: In 2016 this cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 students who were selected by the stratified random sampling method. Data was collected from a questionnaire based on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior including attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions and behaviors. The data collected was then analyzed via the SPSS V.16 software using descriptive statistics, Pearson product– moment correlation test, one-way analysis of variance, and regression. Results: The mean age of the students was 22.28 ± 3.69 years. The results also suggested that 98.3% of them were using virtual social networks. Moreover, the findings of the regression analysis indicated that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were predictors of intention to use social networks, while attitudes had the highest predictive power for the intention to use social networks (β = 0.38). Furthermore, the results of the regression analysis demonstrated that behavioral intention, attitudes, and subjective norms among the constructs of the theory of planned behavior could predict the behavior to use virtual space. Conclusion: The use of virtual social networks by university students displayed a rising trend. Measures ought to be taken to create a right attitude about the extent and efficient use of virtual networks to ensure that they do not interfere with the students’ educational activities and real relationships.
Authors and Affiliations
Zahra Khazir, Morad Ali Zareipour, Mahdi Abdolkarimi, Arefeh Dehghani Tafti, Tahereh Rahimi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP256773
- DOI -
- Views 113
- Downloads 0
Evaluating the Status of Patients Suffering from Diarrhea During the Outbreak Occurred in Shahrekord in 2015
Abstract Introduction: The term diarrheal diseases, a conventional expression, is neither regarded as an epidemiological subject nor a class of diseases, since diarrhea is a symptom of many diseases defined as the passag...
Prevalence of Hemoglobin Anemia among Pregnant Women in the Northeast of Iran
Introduction: Anemia is one of the major public health problems among pregnant women in the world. It causes low birth weight and maternal mortality during pregnancies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ane...
Necessity of Paying Attention to Sesame Oil Production Safety
there is no abstract
An Approach to Management of Health Care and Medical Diagnosis Using a Hybrid Disease Diagnosis System
Introduction: In order to simplify the information exchange within the medical diagnosis process, a collaborative software agent’s framework is presented. The purpose of the framework is to allow the automated informatio...
The Study of General Health Status in the Students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd
Introduction: Students are predisposed to loss of general health due to the special circumstances of the education period. Considering that they constitute a significant proportion of the population, their general health...