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Objective @#To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine hesitancy among female university students based on the precaution adoption process model (PAPM), so as to provide the evidence for improving the coverage of HPV vaccine in this population. @*Methods @#HPV vaccine hesitant female students were selected using a cluster sampling method from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, and randomly assigned to the PAPM group and control group. Students in the PAPM group received PAPM-based interventions for HPV vaccine hesitancy, while students in the control group were given routine interventions. The HPV-related knowledge, HPV vaccine-related knowledge and HPV vaccine hesitancy scores were collected from both groups prior to interventions ( T0 ), 0 ( T1 ), 1 ( T2 ) and 3 months post-interventions ( T3 ), and the effectiveness of interventions was evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures.@*Results @#There were 147 students in the PAPM group and 141 students in the control group. In the PAPM group, 36.73% of the students majored in medical sciences, and 48.23% were freshmen; in the control group, 39.72% majored in medical sciences, and 50.35% were freshmen. The mean scores of HPV- and HPV vaccine-related knowledge were significantly greater in the PAPM group than in the control group, respectively ( T1, 5.29 vs. 4.91; T2, 4.27 vs. 4.22; T3, 4.22 vs. 4.04; P<0.05 ); however, no significant differences were detected in the HPV vaccine hesitancy scores between the two groups, respectively ( T1, 2.98 vs. 2.95; T2, 3.07 vs. 3.07; T3, 3.08 vs. 2.97; P>0.05 ). The mean scores of the confidence dimension ( T1, 3.37 vs. 3.23; T2, 3.48 vs. 3.40; T3, 3.38 vs. 3.25 ) and the dimension of influence by others ( T1, 3.44 vs. 3.33; T2, 3.42 vs. 3.37; T3, 3.46 vs. 3.27 ) were significantly greater in the PAPM group than in the control group (P<0.05), while the mean scores of the complacency dimension were significantly lower in the PAPM group than in the control group ( T1, 1.98 vs. 2.03; T2, 2.06 vs. 2.20; T3, 2.18 vs. 2.15; P<0.05 ).@*Conclusions @#PAPM-based interventions for HPV vaccine hesitancy may effectively improve the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines, reduce complacency, and enhance the influence by others among female university students.
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BACKGROUND: A considerable amount of research has shown that knowledge and appropriate awareness are essential for encouraging positive behaviors and promoting health. In Korea, the roles that behavioral changes play in the prevention of cancer have been an important issue since the introduction of the 10 codes for cancer prevention in 2006. Thus, the present study investigated the associations of tobacco-related knowledge with awareness and attitudes towards positive smoking-cessation behaviors. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from the 2010 national questionnaire survey (n = 1,006). This study evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, self-rated health status, health-related interests, and the accuracy of 12 tobacco-related statements to determine knowledge level and to investigate its impact on awareness and behaviors related to smoking. These parameters were examined and staged using the Precaution Adoption Process Model. RESULTS: A higher level of tobacco-related knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation (5–8 correct answers: odds ratio [OR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57–4.08; ≥ 9 correct answers: OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.22–6.82; reference: ≤ 4 correct answers). Interestingly, among current smokers, only those who correctly responded to ≥ 9 of 12 tobacco-related statements were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: This study found that having a higher level of tobacco-related knowledge had a significant impact on positive attitudes towards smoking cessation. This suggests that there is a need to disseminate appropriate knowledge to the general population to encourage positive attitudes and promote healthful behaviors in terms of smoking.
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Korea , Odds Ratio , Smoke , Smoking Cessation , SmokingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer screening for early detection of cancer is essential in the reduction of cancer mortality, but it cannot be successful without the general public's active participation in performing the screening tests. The aim of this study was to examine the stage of readiness for cancer screening among Korean adults by using one of the stage theories, the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). METHODS: We developed a survey instrument to assess cancer screening behavior by applying the stages of the PAPM. A total of 1,057 adults participated across four municipalities from two metropolitan cities (Incheon and Busan) and two provinces (Kyeonggi-Do and Kyeongsangnam-Do) in Korea. The individuals were classified according to their stage of readiness to perform cancer screening tests regardless of the specific site of cancer. RESULTS: Overall, 28.6% of the participants surveyed had been screened for cancer in the two years prior to our survey. Among those who had not been screened, some had never heard of or had not thought about cancer screening (28.6%). Others were considering the possibility of performing cancer screening tests (29.8%) or had decided to perform them but had not yet acted (11.6%), while a few had decided not to perform them (1.5%). The most significant factors influencing whether or not cancer screening was performed were family experience with cancer screening, sex, age, marital status, region, and financial resources. CONCLUSION: In order to promote cancer screening in the general population, we should make adequate and appropriate interventions (including information, education, financial supports, etc.) to improve individuals' readiness to perform cancer screening.