2016 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 1-11
The aim of this study was to assess behavior modification stages of attendance at specific health check-ups in Japan and the characteristics of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the attendance at the check-ups, depending on the stage. Subjects were 1,206 males and females aged 40 to 64 years who had national health insurance via a local municipality and who had at least one specific health check-up between 2008 and 2011. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire by post regarding attributes and knowledge (10 items), attitudes (12 items), and behaviors (12 items) related to the health check-ups. Information regarding the attendance at health check-ups during the 3 years of the study period was acquired from municipal database. A total of 674 subjects (55.9%) returned the questionnaires. Of those, 394 who attended health check-ups annually were categorized ‘at the maintenance stage’, 208 who attended check-ups irregularly were categorized ‘at the action stage’, and 72 were new examinees. Based on the results of multiple logistic regression analysis, the maintenance stage group had higher knowledge, a stronger determination to undergo regular health check-ups, and engaged in actions including attending check-ups with family or friends. The results suggested that public health nurses who conduct health check-ups and subsequent health guidance need to support irregular examinees to acquire knowledge regarding check-ups and increase sense of self-efficacy. The results also indicated that promoting the application of the results of health check-ups to individuals’ day-to-day lifestyles is necessary.
