Background: Dental diseases are associated with chronic health conditions and decreased psychological and sociological wellbeing. Young adulthood presents a pivotal stage as dental hygiene behaviors developed and practiced during this time persist into later life. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is a commonly used theoretical framework to…

Background: The key to controlling tobacco use lies in preventing new smokers. Graphic health warnings (GHW) discourage smoking initiation, but their effectiveness depends, in part, on their design. Purpose: To measure the effect of varying the design and location of GHW, which occupy 30% of the package, to discourage smoking initiation. Methods:…

Background: The Department of Defense (DOD) annually spends billions in medical care for military beneficiaries. Overweight and obesity are top concerns for dependents. Only 44% of military spouses (86% female, ages 25 to 34) meet Healthy People 2020 weight/BMI goals. Physical activity (PA) is an important modifiable behavior for preventing and…

Background: Increasing COVID-19 vaccine intention in college students is essential to mitigate serious illness and transmission to higher risk populations. We currently do not have an adequate understanding of college students' perceptions and likelihoods of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Purpose: To quantitatively examine the demographic…

Background: As snacking has become an increasingly important part of adult diet over the past decades, better understanding of the intent to choose healthy snacks is crucial for promotion of healthy eating. Purpose: This study aimed to explain college students' intentions to choose healthy snacks using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).…

Background: Consumers are adopting wearable activity trackers to stay healthy and monitor their fitness progress. Purpose: The study investigates the acceptance of WAT by Generation Z users and draws upon achievement goal theory by theorizing how and why consumers use WAT. Methods: Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze intentions to…

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Current guidelines recommend HPV vaccination during adolescence, but vaccination rates remain suboptimal. Efforts are needed to increase vaccination among the catch-up group (individuals aged 18-26 years). Interventions have primarily focused on education,…

Background: Some electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users report using these products to quit smoking combustible cigarettes. Purpose: Using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA), we sought to develop, confirm, and explore a measure of current smokers' intentions, attitudes (instrumental and experiential), social norms (injunctive and descriptive),…

Background: Affective associations have been shown to predict physical activity, but interventions designed to manipulate affective associations are limited. Purpose: To increase physical activity through manipulation of affective associations toward physical activity using the values component from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in…

Background: Beginning in 2019, the Saudi Government required restaurants to post caloric information on menus to facilitate informed meal choices by Saudi consumers. Purpose: To assess the impact on consumer food choices, leveraging TPB, related to caloric information on menus among restaurants in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study…

Background: Emergency contraception (EC) is a highly effective form of birth control that may lower rates of unintended pregnancy among young women. But efforts to disseminate EC to women are hampered by misinformation and inadequate information. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the sources from which young women learn about EC…

Background: Research suggest that genetic testing and its application (personalized medicine/precision medicine) has great potential to help public health professionals deliver proper health promotion and education to target populations who have high predispositions for certain genetic-related diseases. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to…

Background: Although receiving the HPV vaccine can help to prevent the development of cancer and HPV-related diseases, many individuals are not vaccinated in adolescence. Purpose: To examine knowledge about changes to the FDA's approval of the HPV vaccine for adults ages 26-45 years and to utilize the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) constructs…

Background: Over half of all firefighter deaths are due to heart attacks. Physical activity (PA) is a protective factor against cardiovascular disease, but most firefighters do not meet recommended PA levels. Volunteer firefighters (VFFs), particularly in rural areas, may have unique reasons for not meeting recommendations. Purpose: To examine…

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder with no cure. Symptoms related to PD can be managed through physical activity (PA). However, individuals with PD tend to be sedentary. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived constraints and facilitators to PA in each stage of behavioral change for individuals…