Psycho-social Determinants of Hepatitis B Preventive Behaviors Among Nurses

Background: Hepatitis B (HB) is one of the important common occupational diseases, and health care workers are one of the most at-risk groups. The current study aimed to investigate the best psycho-social predictors of HB preventive behaviors among nurses by using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: The current research was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous self-reported scale according to the TPB determinants was distributed among 330 nurses in Kermanshah, and 299 (90.6%) questionnaires were returned. Nurses were randomly selected among different teaching hospitals in Kermanshah in 2016. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using Pearson correlation, one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t test, and linear regression tests. Results: The mean score for the HB preventive behaviors was 3.14±1.45 ranging from 1 to 5. The TPB determinants accounted for 21% of the variance in nurses’ HB preventive behaviors. Attitude and perceived behavior control (PBC) were the best determinants of performing HB preventive behaviors. Furthermore, higher education level, gender (female), and family history of HB were effective in the higher score of HB prevention behaviors (P<0.001). Conclusion: In developing programs and policies to prevent HB among nurses in Iran, attitude and PBC should be considered. These findings may guide HB interventions to improve the capacity to seek HB preventive behaviors.