Predictors of Dengue Preventive Practices Based on Precaution Adoption Process Model among Health Care Professionals in Northwest of Iran

Samira Firooziyan; Roya Sadeghi; Maryam Sabouri; Azar Tol; Ehsan Rikhtehgar; Behrouz Fathi; Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat

doi:10.18502/jad.v16i4.12192

Samira Firooziyan Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Roya Sadeghi Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Sabouri Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Azar Tol Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medi-cal Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ehsan Rikhtehgar Urmia Deputy for Health Affairs, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Behrouz Fathi Urmia Health Center, Disease Control Unit, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v16i4.12192

Keywords: Preventive practices; Dengue fever; Precaution adoption process model (PAPM); Health professionals

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever as a mosquito-borne disease, has rapidly spread due to climate change, globalization, and human behavior. Iran is prone to dengue fever, as its vector recently has been found in the country. This study aimed to assess predictors of dengue preventive practices based on Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) factors in West Azerbaijan province, northwest of Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on 405 health professionals of communicable disease sector who were interested in study participation. Data-gathering instrument was an online researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics (11 items), questions based on PAPM, and dengue preventive practices (85 items). Content validity and reliability of the instrument, content validity ratio, content validity index, and Cronbach α were utilized, respectively. Descriptive, analytical, and regression analysis using SPSS and STATA were examined.

Results: Regression analysis revealed that awareness of appropriate actions for dengue prevention was a stronger predictor of preventive practice in borderline and appropriate categories (β= 4.09, p< 0.001) and (β= 4.42, p< 0.001), respectively. Among factors of PAPM, beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty in borderline (β= 1.04, p= 0.04) and appropriate (β= 1.12, p= 0.03) groups had direct and significant relation with dengue preventive practice.

Conclusion: The highest mean score of beliefs about hazard likelihood and severity factor was related to dengue prevention. Therefore, theory-based interventions that address beliefs about precaution effectiveness and difficulty can lead to assistance in acting. To improve dengue preventive practices, a well-designed promotive intervention that addresses associated factors in a context-specific manner is essential.