c
c  


The HBM was spelled out in terms of four constructs representing the perceived threat and net benefits:
perceivedÔ Ô
 perceived Ô
 perceived  Ô and perceived ÔThese concepts
were proposed as accounting for people's "readiness to act." An added concept,
Ô
 would
activate that readiness and stimulate overt behavior. A recent addition to the HBM is the concept of Ô 
 

 or one's confidence in the ability to successfully perform an action. This concept was added by
Rosenstock and others in 1988 to help the HBM better fit the challenges of changing habitual unhealthy
behaviors, such as being sedentary, smoking, or overeating.
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Table from ³Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice" (1997)
Ñ
 




Define population(s) at risk, risk

levels; personalize risk based on a
  One's opinion of chances
person's features or behavior;

 of getting a condition
heighten perceived susceptibility if
too low.

One's opinion of how

  Specify consequences of the risk
serious a condition and its
  and the condition
consequences are

One's belief in the efficacy

Define action to take; how, where,
  of the advised action to
when; clarify the positive effects to

 reduce risk or seriousness
be expected.
of impact

One's opinion of the

Identify and reduce barriers
  tangible and psychological
through reassurance, incentives,
   costs of the advised
assistance.
action

Strategies to activate Provide how-to information,

Ñ  

"readiness" promote awareness, reminders.

Confidence in one's ability Provide training, guidance in



to take action performing action.

















Ñ

 


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Source: Glanz et al, 2002, p. 52

?  
Surveys.

 
 


The Health Belief Model has been applied to a broad range of health behaviors and subject populations.
Three broad areas can be identified (Conner & Norman, 1996): 1) Preventive health behaviors, which
include health-promoting (e.g. diet, exercise) and health-risk (e.g. smoking) behaviors as well as
vaccination and contraceptive practices. 2) Sick role behaviors, which refer to compliance with
recommended medical regimens, usually following professional diagnosis of illness. 3) Clinic use, which
includes physician visits for a variety of reasons.


This is an example from two sexual health actions.

Ñ
 Ñ
 


  

 !"

#$  Youth believe they can get STIs or Youth believe they may have been

 HIV or create a pregnancy. exposed to STIs or HIV.
%$   Youth believe that the consequences Youth believe the consequences of
of getting STIs or HIV or creating a having STIs or HIV without knowledge
pregnancy are significant enough to or treatment are significant enough to
try to avoid. try to avoid.
&$ 
 Youth believe that the recommended Youth believe that the recommended
action of using condoms would action of getting tested for STIs and HIV
protect them from getting STIs or would benefit them ² possibly by
HIV or creating a pregnancy. allowing them to get early treatment or
preventing them from infecting others.
'$    Youth identify their personal barriers Youth identify their personal barriers to
to using condoms (i.e., condoms limit getting tested (i.e., getting to the clinic
the feeling or they are too or being seen at the clinic by someone
embarrassed to talk to their partner they know) and explore ways to
about it) and explore ways to eliminate or reduce these barriers (i.e.,
eliminate or reduce these barriers brainstorm transportation and disguise
(i.e., teach them to put lubricant options).
inside the condom to increase
sensation for the male and have
them practice condom
communication skills to decrease
their embarrassment level).
($Ñ  
Youth receive reminder cues for Youth receive reminder cues for action
action in the form of incentives (such in the form of incentives (such as a key
as pencils with the printed message chain that says, "Got sex? Get tested!")
"no glove, no love") or reminder or reminder messages (such as posters
messages (such as messages in the that say, "25% of sexually active teens
school newsletter). contract an STI. Are you one of them?
Find out now").
)$
 Youth confident in using a condom Youth receive guidance (such as
correctly in all circumstances. information on where to get tested) or
training (such as practice in making an
appointment).
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