The Predictors of Health Literacy Based on the Constructs of Health Belief Model for Smoking Prevention Among University Students

The rate of cigarette smoking has increased among students. Smoking prevention behavior has significant relationship with health literacy. Moreover, health literacy has potential effects on the constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM). This study aimed to determine the predictors of health literacy based on HBM constructs for smoking prevention among university students. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2016 on 337 dormitory students recruited through one-stage cluster sampling from ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Data were collected using the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults scale as well as a researcher-made questionnaire on students’ perceptions about smoking prevention developed based on HBM constructs. Chi-square test, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression analysiswere used. SPSS software (v. 16.0) was used to analyze the data. Health literacy had significant relationships with cigarette smoking and all HBM constructs (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy constructs of HBM significantly predicted 32.9% of the total variance of health literacy(P < 0.05). Health literacy is significantly related with cigarette smoking. Moreover, the significant predictors of health literacy based on HBM constructs for smoking prevention are perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy. Therefore, educational programs based on these HBM constructs can be used as an appropriate framework for developing strategies to promote health literacy and prevent cigarette smoking.