It is understood that the rate of vaccinated patients on hemodialysis is considerably lesser than the Healthy People 2020 (HP 2020) target (Glanz, Rimer & Vismanath, 2008). This study by Adams, Hall & Fulghum (2014) was aimed at utilizing the perceptions for action constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM). The study aimed at measuring the attitudes of patients who are receiving outpatient hemodialysis regarding acceptance of seasonal influenza, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B virus vaccines. Vaccine acceptance is defined in the study as receiving the vaccine. The HBM has been utilized as framework in forecasting the uptake of vaccinations in specific populations. Nexoe, Kragstrup, & Fulghum (1999) used the HBM in combination with the Multidimensional Locus of Control Theory (MLCT) to study the decision on influenza vaccination among the elderly. The Multidimensional Locus of Control IPC Scale (IPC LOC Scale) is an instrument for assessing the locus of control on adults. The conclusion of the study suggested the use of age, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity, which increase the chances of getting some vaccines.
Perceived susceptibility is one of the strongest in this study and more relevant concepts used in the study. This is because perceived susceptibility refers to an individual’s personal belief regarding their vulnerability to a state of disease. The vulnerability to receiving vaccinations was strong in this study. If the perceived risk is great, the likelihood of engaging in health-promoting behavior may increase. The second strongest used in the study is the perceived severity. Perceived severity of the disease is explained as an individual’s belief regarding the negative effect of contracting a disease, which would impact his or her overall existence. A combination of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity created a threat to an individual in this study. The research constructs of the study include perceived susceptibility to the disease, perceived severity of the disease, perceived benefits, perceived barriers to health-promoting behaviors, and self-efficacy (Daddario, 2007).
The strength of HBM shows positive correlation in individual’s perceived susceptibility and severity to illness to the perceived probability of declining the threat of outpatient hemodialysis. The higher the individual’s perceived threat of illness, the higher the probability that the individual will take a specific health action to prevent the illness (Glanz, Rimer, Vismanath, 2008). The HBM asserts that planning successful interventions includes knowledge of the individual’s or group’s perceived susceptibility, severity, and consequences of the disease condition; perceived benefits and barriers of the preventive action; and cues to action. According to the Health Belief Model (HBM), changes in behavior are achieved via changes in knowledge and beliefs (Davidhizar, 1983). The behavioral conversion of individuals and animals has been the central objective of many theorists like the founder(s) of the Health Belief Model. Anything beyond such a conversation of individual behavior change is a limitation that needs further discussions. Limitations of the HBM concerning the study include size of the sample and the completed number of surveys. Additionally, members were all from the two states in the southern part of the United States. These influences could result in a specimen error representing that the outcomes are not illustrative of the whole population.
Adams, A., Hall, M., & Fulghum, J. (2014). Utilizing the health belief model to assess vaccine acceptance of patients on hemodialysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 41(4), 393-406; quiz 407. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1562515267?accountid=14872
Daddario, D. (2007). A review of the use of the health belief model for weight management. MEDSURG Nursing, 16(6), 363-366.
Davidhizar, R. (1983). Critique of the health-belief model. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 8(6), 467-472.
Glanz, K., Rimer, B.K. & Viswanath, K. (Eds.) (2008). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Nexoe, J., Kragstrup, J., & Sogaard, J. (1999). The decision on influenza vaccination among the elderly: A questionnaire study based on the Health Belief Model and the Multidimensional Locus of Control Theory. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 17(2), 105-110.
