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Gender Differences in Health-check Attendance and Intention in Young Adults: An Application of the Health Belief Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

Gary A. Munley*
Affiliation:
The Manchester Metropolitan University. [email protected]
Angus McLoughlin
Affiliation:
The Manchester Metropolitan University.
Jeremy J. Foster
Affiliation:
The Manchester Metropolitan University.
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Gary A. Munley, Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, The Manchester Metropolitan University, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JA, United Kingdom.
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Abstract

Health-check attendance intention and behaviour in young men and women was compared, and the data used to determine whether health belief model constructs were able to predict such intentions and behaviour. Sixty male and sixty female respondents completed questionnaires asking about past health-check attendance behaviour, future attendance intention, and health beliefs. More females than males had previously attended a general health check, and females had stronger intentions to do so in the future. Regression analyses indicated that health-check attendance intention was predicted for both males and females by responses to cues to action. For females, previous health-check attendance was related to responses to cues to action and perceptions of barriers to attendance. None of the health belief model constructs was found to account for previous attendance behaviour of males. The results of the study support recent calls for health promotion initiatives aimed at men, but suggest that they should target cognitions other than those included within the health belief model.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

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