Identification of the factors that contribute to the systematic use of condom<br /> for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases based on the Health Belief Model
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2010, Vol 27, Issue 3
Abstract
Human behavior plays a more important role than the development of medical science and improvement of living conditions in the reduction of health problems and premature deaths. Changes in human behavior can occur as the result of many factors. Inappropriate behavior and mistaken health perceptions increase the likelihood of diseases. Every intervention aimed at prevention should focus on knowledge of the factors that define people's behavior. In order to discover the factors that are implicated in a preventive behavior such as the use of condoms, the Health Belief Model (HBM) can be used, which constitutes a valuable tool in predicting health behaviors. Based on this model, the adoption of specific behaviors is the result of the expectations and the perceived value of the positive consequences that this behavior will produce. The HBM, however, has certain limitations, such as the fact that it fails to take into consideration factors such as habits, social activities, the environment, and the apathy demonstrated by many people for health issues. It lacks an appropriate function which would enable linkage between the six constituents of the model. The limitations of use of the model in this particular context include the controversial opinions in terms of the association between the model and unprotected sexual intercourse and the fact that the model does not include the emotional dimensions of sexual intercourse.
Authors and Affiliations
A. CHARALAMPOUS, T. TSITSI
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP144767
- DOI -
- Views 69
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of neopterin as a prognostic factor in patients with beta-thalassemia, in comparison with cytokines and immunoglobulins
OBJECTIVE Investigation of whether the serum level of neopterin can be used as a marker in patients with β-thalassemia, evaluation of its clinical significance and correlation with other laboratory and clinical parameter...
In vitro hepatitis C virus replication systems and novel therapeutic agents for chronic hepatitis C
Until recently, due to the lack of an effective cell culture system for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), the design of novel therapeutic agents was difficult. The recent progress in the molecular virology of HCV has created...
Intention to get swine flu vaccine A problem limiting the success of swine flu vaccination programs?
No abstract available
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis)
A case of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis) in a 32 year-old Greek male patient is reported. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a benign, selflimited disease of unknown causes, with a predomina...
Definitions and causative factors of psychological violence in the workplace and their role in the risk assessment of mobbing
A variety of terms are used to determine the different forms of psychological violence in the workplace, such as bullying, mobbing, harassment, psychological harassment, abusive behavior, emotional abuse, workplace aggre...