Influence of Information Scanning on Dengue-Related Health Beliefs and Adherence to Prevention Practices in At-Risk Areas of Davao City, Philippines
Abstract
Individuals learn about health from different health sources. Some of these information are encountered through their routine exposure to the media and their social referents, a process called information scanning. A number of studies that trace the impact of scanned information on health behavior support this assumption. But the role of information scanning on adherence to dengue prevention has not been fully explored among individuals in at-risk communities in the Philippines. Thus, a survey was conducted with participants (N = 404) from dengue vulnerable areas in Davao City to assess the influence of scanned information on knowledge and adherence to dengue prevention and thus shed light into the mechanisms of health persuasion. Categorical regression found information scanning (β = .292, p < .005), knowledge on dengue risk and prevention (β = .142, p < .05), participation in community clean-ups (β = .265, p < .001), and subjective norm (β = ‒.123, p < .05) to have significantly contributed to participants’ predicted adherence to dengue prevention practices. Likewise, age, education, income, and number of children are also significantly correlated to adherence, although the strength of correlation was low. The result points out the importance of ensuring the depth and breadth of scanned information and the need for messages that reinforce knowledge and beliefs which facilitate prevention behavior.
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