The Relationship between Health Belief Model and Preventive Behavior against Liver Fluke Infection among Village Health

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to examine the relationships between 1) personal factors and 2) health belief model components and the liver fluke prevention behaviors among village health volunteers (VHVs) in That subdistrict, Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Samples were 84 VHVs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test).

Findings revealed that the majority of VHVs were females (78.60%), with a mean age of 56.51 years and an average monthly income of 5,676.19 Baht. Their average length of service as VHVs was 13.42 years. Most had completed primary education (38.10%), worked mainly in agriculture (71.40%), and were selected by the community (67.90%). The majority had never been infected with liver fluke (88.10%), but had a history of consuming raw fish (59.50%) and had never received training on liver fluke prevention (59.50%). Most VHVs had moderate levels of prevention behaviors (58.30%). Two factors were significantly associated with prevention behavior including history of raw fish consumption (p<0.001) and perceived barriers to prevention (p<0.001). The study suggests that promoting appropriate health beliefs and preventive behaviors among VHVs can enhance their role as health role models in reducing the risk of liver fluke infection in the community.