Based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model(IMB model), this is a descriptive research study to identify the factors influencing health promotion behavior among school-age children's health literacy, attitude toward health behavior, so...
Based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model(IMB model), this is a descriptive research study to identify the factors influencing health promotion behavior among school-age children's health literacy, attitude toward health behavior, social support, and self-efficacy.
The subjects of the study were selected by convenience sampling from 209 fifth and sixth graders of elementary schools located in S city. Data were collected from March 13, 2023, to March 31, 2023, using a self-written questionnaire. The research tool consisted of questions that measured general characteristics, health literacy, attitude toward health behavior, social support, self-efficacy, and health promotion behavior. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé post-hoc test, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Regression Analysis according to the purpose of the study and the characteristics of the variables.
The results of this study are as follows.
First, the gender of the subjects was 104 (49.8%) for men and 105 (50.2%) for women, 77 (36.8%) for fifth grade and 132 (63.2%) for sixth grade. As for subjective health status, 96 students (45.9%) were ‘healthy’, and academic performance was ‘good’ with 109 students (52.2%). As for the experience of hospitalization, 120 students (57.4%) answered ‘no’ and 89 students (42.6%) answered ‘yes’. As for health-related information, 65 students (31.1%) received the most information from ‘friends and family’, and 84 students (40.2%) expressed interest in health as ‘normal’. Regarding school health education experience, 111 students (53.1%) answered ‘no’ and 98 students (46.9%) answered ‘yes’, and the subjective family economic status was ‘middle’ with 129 students (61.7%).
Second, the average score of health literacy was 29.35±4.22 points out of 42 points. The average score of attitude toward health behavior was 19.62±3.36 points out of 25 points. The average score of social support was 97.18±13.02 points out of 120 points. The average score of self-efficacy was 35.87±7.34 points out of 50 points. The average score of health promotion behavior was 113.07±14.09 points out of 145 points.
Third, in the difference in health promotion behavior according to general characteristics, there was a statistically significant difference according to grade (t=2.546, p=.012), subjective health status (F=8.731, p<.001), academic performance (F=5.918, p=.003), interest in health (F=12.960, p<.001), school health education experience (t=2.848, p=.005) and subjective family economic status (F=18.844, p<.001).
Fourth, health promotion behavior showed a significant positive correlation with social support (r=.696, p<.001), attitude toward health behavior (r=.622, p<.001), self-efficacy (r=.561, p<.001), health literacy (r=.330, p<.001).
Fifth, as a result of confirming the factors influencing the health promotion behaviors of school-age children, health literacy, attitude toward health behavior, social support, self-efficacy, and interest in health were found. Social support (β=.419, p<.001) appeared to have the greatest influence on health promotion behavior. Next, attitude toward health behavior (β=.267, p<.001), self-efficacy (β=.134, p=.021), health literacy (β=.109, p=.025), and interest in health (β=.102, p=.043). The explanatory power of this model was 60.4% (F=32.677, p<.001).
In view of the above results, it is necessary to develop and apply health education and health promotion programs that consider health literacy, attitude toward health behavior, social support, self-efficacy and interest in health in order to promote the practice of school-age children's health promotion behavior.
Keywords: IMB model, Health Promotion Behavior, Health Literacy, Attitude toward Health Behavior, Social Support, Self-efficacy, School-Aged Children