A study of 224 primary school students in Kenya was conducted to determine if health belief model variables predicted their health behavior, specifically, using safe drinking water. One health belief model construct, belief in benefits, was associated with the behavior (p = .05). Living in an urban environment (p = .01), and proximity to a tap (p = .004) were also significant predictors of safe water use. Implications for further research and health education programs are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeckerM. H. (ed)., The Health Belief Model and Personal Health Behavior, Health Education Monographs, 2, Winter 1974.
2.
JanzN. K.BeckerM. H., The Health Belief Model: A Decade Later, Health Education Quarterly, 11, pp. 1–47, Spring 1984.
3.
AdeniyiJ. D., Cholera Control: Problems of Beliefs and Attitudes, International Journal of Health Education, 15, pp. 238–245, 1972.
4.
AzurinJ. C.AlveroM., Cholera Incidence in a Population Offered Cholera Vaccination: Comparison of Cooperative and Uncooperative Groups, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 44, pp. 815–819, 1971.
5.
HsuF. L. K., A Cholera Epidemic in a Chinese Town, in Health Culture and Community, PaulB. (ed.), Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1955.
6.
HingsonR., The Impact of Health Beliefs on Behavior During an Immunization Program in Rural Haiti, 1972, Health Education Monographs, 2, pp. 505–508, 1974.
7.
LinN.HingsonR.Allwood-ParedesJ., Mass Immunization Campaign in El Salvador, 1969: Evaluation of Receptivity and Recommendation for Future Campaigns, HSMHA Health Report, 86, pp. 1112–1121, 1971.
8.
RistoriC., Selection of Work Procedures and Establishment of Objectives in Vaccination Programs, Bulletin of the Pan American Health Organization, 66, pp. 32–42, 1969.
9.
PittsM.McMasterJ.WilsonP., An Investigation of Preconditions Necessary for the Introduction of a Campaign to Promote Breast Self-Examination Amongst Zimbabwean Women, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 1, pp. 33–41, 1991.
10.
WilsonD.LavelleS.HeedA., Health Knowledge and Beliefs as Predictors of Intended Condom Use Among Zimbabwean Adolescents in Probation/Remand Homes, AIDS Care, 2, pp. 267–274, 1990.
11.
WilsonD.ManualA.LavelleS., Psychological Predictors of Condom Use to Prevent HIV Transmission Among Zimbabwean Students, International Journal of Psychology, 26, pp. 705–721, 1991.
12.
GochmanD. S.SaucierI-F, Perceived Vulnerability in Children and Adolescents, Health Education Quarterly, 9: 2&3, pp. 46–59, 1982.
13.
FosuG. B., Maternal Influence on Preventive Health Behavior in Children, International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 12, pp. 1–19, 1991–92.
14.
ClarkN.RosenstockI.HassanH.WasilewskiY.EvansD.FeldmanC.MellinsR., The Effect of Health Beliefs and Feelings of Self-Efficacy on Self-Management Behavior of Children with a Chronic Disease, Patient Counseling and Education, 11: 2, pp. 131–139, April 1988.
15.
DielmanT. E.LeechS. L.BeckerM. H.RosenstockI. M.HorvathW. J.RadiusS. M., Dimensions of Children's Health Beliefs, Health Education Quarterly, 7, pp. 219–238, Fall 1980.