ABSTRACT
Background: Health Belief Model [HBM] explains different health behaviors, including hygienic practices, in light of different perceptions about health risks and related behaviors
Objective[s]: To assess mothers' perceptions about childhood infections and hygienic behavior based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model
Methods: A convenient sample of 300 mothers admitted with their children at El Anfoushy paediatrics hospital was interviewed. Data was collected using an interviewing questionnaire investigating mothers' knowledge, health beliefs, self-efficacy and practices regarding hygienic behavior
The total beliefs' score was graded as high if exceeded 75% of the maximum score or low if score is below 50%. Hygienic practices of a subsample of 100 mothers were assessed using a structured observational checklist covering data about the cleanliness of mother, child and area surrounding their hospital bed
Results: The mean age of the interviewed mothers was 26.18+/-3.99 years
About 40% of them had basic education and almost half of them were of middle socioeconomic standard. The level of mothers' knowledge about hygiene was fair in 47.7% and poor in 36% of the mothers
The majority of mothers showed a high level of perceived susceptibility [86.3%], severity [88.7%] and benefits [96.7%]. Less than half of the mothers [44.3%] showed a high level of perceived barriers to adhering to hygienic behavior. Almost 60% of the sample showed a high level of self-efficacy. Reported level of mothers' hygienic practices was high in 50.3% of the sample, while observation showed a high level of practice in only 11% and low practice level in 57% of the subsample. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive significant influence of knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, severity and benefits on hygienic behavior of mothers. Perceived barriers had a significant negative influence on the studied behavior
Conclusion: The hygienic behavior of mothers is markedly influenced by their beliefs regarding the relation between health and hygiene as well as their beliefs regarding their ability to and cost of performing these behaviors