Associations between the perception of health-behavioral practice, social support, and health behaviors for cardiovascular diseases prevention of a private university staff at risk of diabetes mellitus

Abstract

This descriptive research studied the associations between the perception of health-behavioral practice, social support, and health behaviors in preventing cardiovascular diseases among participants of 101 staff in a private university who were in a risk group for diabetes mellitus. The research questionnaires consisted of Personal and Health-Related Data Record Form, Questionnaires of Perceived Benefit, Perceived Barrier, Perceived Self-Efficacy, and Social Support in performing health behaviors for cardiovascular diseases prevention, and Health Behaviors for Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Moment Product Correlation Coefficient, or Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient were used in data analysis.

The results of the study showed that the sample perceived benefit at a high level, perceived barrier, perceived self-efficacy, and social support at moderate levels, and also health behaviors in cardiovascular disease prevention were at moderate levels. Perception of benefits, self-esteem, and social support in performing health behaviors for cardiovascular diseases prevention had shown statistically significant positive correlations with health behaviors for cardiovascular diseases prevention (r=0.286; p<0.004; r=0.588, p<0.001; r=0.377; p<0.001 respectively). Perception of barriers in performing health behaviors for cardiovascular disease prevention had shown statistically significant negative correlations with health behaviors in preventing cardiovascular diseases (r=-0.548, p<0.001).

Suggestions from this study include the institute should create health promotion behavior activities for the staff with a risk of diabetes mellitus, especially in eating behaviors and physical activity behaviors, and doing research for continual long-term evaluation.