Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #98385

Cesar Augusto Galvez, DrPH, MHE, MT, F, Public Health Graduate Unit, Graduate School, Universidad Peruana Union, Campus Universidad Peruana Union, Nana, Lima, 8, Peru, (511) 359 0060, cgalvez@upeu.edu.pe, Naomi N. Modeste, DrPH, School of Public Health/Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall room #1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350, and Jerry W. Lee, PhD, Dept. of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350.

The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used to assess predictors of Peruvian mothers seeking medical help when they believed their child had signs of pneumonia. Open-ended interviews to identify beliefs were followed by a questionnaire administered to 500 mothers from Lima (capitol of Peru) in June and July 2000. Subjective norm (what important referents want) was the best predictor of intention, followed by mothersxfeelings about how easy it would be to take the child to the clinic. Attitude toward taking the child to a clinic was not a significant predictor of intention as it is in developed settings. This study indicates a stronger role for subjective norm than attitudes and perceived control in similar studies done with this model in other settings. It of course, only predicts intention to act and not behavior, important here given social-economic barriers, e.g., cost, to access to care among this study group. The concepts of control of the TPB, based in the individual "self", should make room for the collective "self" concept present in developing countries.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• To describe facilators and barriers in Peru in the fight against pneumonia
• To know how to apply a developed-world theory, such as the Theory of Planned Behavior, in a developing setting
• To compare predictors of intention of health behavior between developed and developing countries.

Keywords: Behavioral Research, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.