An instrument based on protection motivation theory to predict Chinese adolescents' intention to engage in protective behaviors against schistosomiasis.

• Authors: Han Xiao, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.; Minjin Peng, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.; Hong Yan, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.; Mengting Gao, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.; Jingjing Li, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.; Bin Yu, Emory University; Hanbo Wu, School of Demography, College of Arts and Social Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia.; Shiyue Li, School of Health Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China.
• Journal Title: Global Health Research and Policy
• Volume: Volume 1, Number 1
• Publisher: BioMed Central | 2016, Pages 15-15
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-016-0015-6
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Sociology, Demography
• Keywords: Adolescents; Instrument; Protection Motivation Theory; Schistosomiasis

Abstract

Background: Further advancement in schistosomiasis prevention requires new tools to assess protective motivation, and promote innovative intervention program. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an instrument developed based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to predict protective behavior intention against schistosomiasis among adolescents in China. Methods: We developed the Schistosomiasis PMT Scale based on two appraisal pathways of protective motivation- threat appraisal pathway and coping appraisal pathway. Data from a large sample of middle school students (n = 2238, 51 % male, mean age 13.13 ± 1.10) recruited in Hubei, China was used to evaluated the validity and reliability of the scale. Results: The final scale contains 18 items with seven sub-constructs. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients for the entire instrument was 0.76, and for the seven sub-constructs of severity, vulnerability, intrinsic reward, extrinsic reward, response efficacy, self-efficacy and response cost was 0.56, 0.82, 0.75, 0.80, 0.90, 0.72 and 0.70, respectively. The construct validity analysis revealed that the one level 7 sub-constructs model fitted data well (GFI = 0.98, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.03, Chi-sq/df = 3.90, p < 0.001). Predictive validity showed that both the PMT instrument score and the 7 sub-construct scores were significantly correlated with the intention engaged in protective behavior against schistosomiasis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study provides a reliable and valid tool to measure protective motivation in schistosomiasis prevention control. Further studies are needed to develop more effective intervention programs for schistosomiasis prevention.