Question

Thinking back to the “Practical Framework for Changing Behaviours” reading in module 1 (Health Communication Network, 2004), how do the constructs of the Health Belief Model and the Transtheoretical Model “fit” into the eight conditions that must be true for a person to perform that behavior?

Answer 1

The Health Belief Model (HBM) and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) take individuals and maybe a small group into consideration. For both, the model's to be applied individuals must believe in preventive measures and should be able to protect themselves from catching diseases. The HBM is a cognitive model whereas the TTM is concerned with the behavioral aspect. For both the model to be successfully applied, the prerequisite is on the awareness level of the individuals and self-efficacy.

The HBM model was developed in the 1950s by United States health department.The core constructs of the HBM are as follows:

1. Perceived susceptibility and perceived severity
2. Perceived benefits and perceived barriers
3. Cues to action and self-efficacy

TTM is about taking steps that involve long-term changes by taking multiple actions and adaptations over time.The stages in TTM are:

1. Precontemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance

With TTM it is observed that it can be used to predict one's behavior when someone is considering quitting smoking or making dietary changes.Though the construct is linear a person can always revert back to a previous stage.

Let us take an example to understand the models. As per HBM model, anyone is ready to take preventive action when they believe that the disease is severe and the likelihood of catching the disease is high for them or it is possible for them to avoid the disease altogether. For example, in case of getting a vaccine for Tuberculosis (TB).In this case, people must perceive the threat of actually catching TB disease and it can be avoided by taking a shot of vaccine that can be accessed at a nearby clinic. This may also include the financial resources, remembering the appointment and driving themselves to the clinic and most importantly not being afraid of the procedure.

In case of TTM model, it may be best utilized for people who have limited to no understanding of the severity of the disease. Using the above example, people in a community may not be aware of the risk of TB so may not consider getting a shot for prevention. In the second stage of contemplation, people are aware that they may be able to catch the disease or they are at risk and begin to think about getting a shot of TB vaccine.In the preparation stage, people are ready to take a shot thereby making a change in their behavior. For the long-term management, people must be regularly made aware that they have to take necessary preventive steps to ward of the disease.