Pajouhan Scientific Journal, Winter, In Press
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Ethics code: IR.MUMS.FHMPM.REC.1403.125
Zahra Khoshkharam #1 
, Bahareh Behrouzi #1 , Elaheh Lael-Monfared2 , Alireza Jafari3 , Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh *4
, Bahareh Behrouzi #1 , Elaheh Lael-Monfared2 , Alireza Jafari3 , Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh *4
1- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Nursing Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
4- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,Mahdizadehtm@mums.ac.ir
2- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Nursing Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
4- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran & Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,
Abstract: (649 Views)
(# Contributed equally as the first author)
Background and Objectives: Animal bites are a major health problem and threat. This study aimed to apply the theory of protective motivation, which is based on protective and preventive behaviors. It was also attempted to evaluate the factors affecting the intention to prevent animal bites among elementary school students.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted using a multistage random sampling method on 400 elementary school students (7 to 12 years old) from October to December 2024 in Mashhad. The data collection tool included two sections of a demographic information form and questions related to the constructs of the theory of protective motivation, which were designed by the researchers in a pilot study. It should be mentioned that the validity and reliability of them were confirmed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26) through descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics, including Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. The significant statistical level of 0.05 was considered.
Results: In total, 47.3% of the students were female, and 79% of them had no history of animal bites. The mean age of the participants was 9.5±0.9 years. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a direct and significant correlation among the constructs of perceived sensitivity (P<0.01, r=0.482), perceived severity (P<0.01, r=0.266), response efficacy (P<0.01, r=0.509), self-efficacy (P<0.01, r=0.639), and fear (P<0.05, r=0.122) with the motivation to protect or the intention to prevent animal bites. Additionally, there was an inverse and significant correlation between the constructs of perceived response cost (P<0.01, r=0.249) and perceived reward (P<0.01, r=0.176) and the motivation to engage in animal bite prevention behaviors. The results of linear regression for predictors of intention to protect animal bite behaviors showed that the constructs of self-efficacy, perceived sensitivity, and reward were significant predictors of intention to prevent animal bite and were able to predict 43.5% of its variance. Self-efficacy (β=0.478, P<0.001) was the strongest predictor of intention to protect against animal bites.
Conclusion: The constructs of the theory of protection motivation can be effective in promoting students' intention to adopt animal bite prevention behaviors. It is suggested that the constructs of this theory of behavior change be used in the design and implementation of interventions to empower students to adopt animal bite prevention behaviors.
Background and Objectives: Animal bites are a major health problem and threat. This study aimed to apply the theory of protective motivation, which is based on protective and preventive behaviors. It was also attempted to evaluate the factors affecting the intention to prevent animal bites among elementary school students.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted using a multistage random sampling method on 400 elementary school students (7 to 12 years old) from October to December 2024 in Mashhad. The data collection tool included two sections of a demographic information form and questions related to the constructs of the theory of protective motivation, which were designed by the researchers in a pilot study. It should be mentioned that the validity and reliability of them were confirmed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 26) through descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics, including Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. The significant statistical level of 0.05 was considered.
Results: In total, 47.3% of the students were female, and 79% of them had no history of animal bites. The mean age of the participants was 9.5±0.9 years. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a direct and significant correlation among the constructs of perceived sensitivity (P<0.01, r=0.482), perceived severity (P<0.01, r=0.266), response efficacy (P<0.01, r=0.509), self-efficacy (P<0.01, r=0.639), and fear (P<0.05, r=0.122) with the motivation to protect or the intention to prevent animal bites. Additionally, there was an inverse and significant correlation between the constructs of perceived response cost (P<0.01, r=0.249) and perceived reward (P<0.01, r=0.176) and the motivation to engage in animal bite prevention behaviors. The results of linear regression for predictors of intention to protect animal bite behaviors showed that the constructs of self-efficacy, perceived sensitivity, and reward were significant predictors of intention to prevent animal bite and were able to predict 43.5% of its variance. Self-efficacy (β=0.478, P<0.001) was the strongest predictor of intention to protect against animal bites.
Conclusion: The constructs of the theory of protection motivation can be effective in promoting students' intention to adopt animal bite prevention behaviors. It is suggested that the constructs of this theory of behavior change be used in the design and implementation of interventions to empower students to adopt animal bite prevention behaviors.
Type of Study: Research Article |
Subject:
Health Sciences
Received: 2025/10/21 | Accepted: 2026/03/4
Received: 2025/10/21 | Accepted: 2026/03/4
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