Application of planned behavior theory in predicting dental brush behavior among Iranian adolescents in Qazvin Dr. Pakpour Hajiagha A .,1 Dr. Saffari M. 2 1 Assistant Professor , Public Health Department , School of Health , Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Qazvin , Iran . 2 Assistant Professor , Health Education Department , School of Health , Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran . (Received 27 July, 2011 Accepted 12 March, 2012) Abstract Background and Aim: Contrary to thetheory of planned behavior (TPB), intention alone is not sufficient to predict behavior. The aim of the study was application of anextended model of planned behavior in predicting dental brushing behavior among a sample of adolescents in Qazvin . Materials and Methods: A number of 383 adolescents participated in thiscross-sectional study. Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, action and coping scales and a self report questionnaire regarding dental brushing behavior was completed by the adolescents. Data were analyzed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on an original six-factor structure (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, intention, action plan and coping plan) and also a hierarchical linear regression analysis . Results: The mean age of the adolescents was 15.41 years. The most of the student were male (50.2). The CFA for the original six-factor structure showed a good fit index (λ2 = 645.25, degrees of freedom df=309, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) =90, root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) =0.054). Action- and coping planning aggregately accounted for 11.1% of the variance associated with dental brushing behavior . Conclusion: Results obtainedform CFA analysis approved the six-factor structure including intention, action plan and coping plan . Action plan and coping plan can reduce intention-behavior gap . Key words: Oral health - Adolescents - Theory of planned behavior - Planning Corresponding Author: Dr. Pakpour Hajiagha A., Assistant Professor, Public Health Department , School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Qazvin , Iran. e.mail: Pakpour_Amir@yahoo.com |
