Exploring behavior change motivation in an outpatient sample with more than one health risk behavior

Abstract Background Evidence from western countries shows that the majority of adults have two or more health risk behaviors. The motivation to engage in a health behavior change (HBC) is the most proximal determinant of behavior change in the future. The aim of this study was to investigate the intention to increase physical activity and to quit smoking in an outpatient sample that show both health risk behaviors. Methods We used baseline data (n = 109) of an intervention study (Germany, 2016-2019) on physical activity and smoking cessation. Eligibility criteria were: aged 40 to 65 years, systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg, no history of cardiovascular event or vascular intervention. We collected information on HBC motivation, sex, age, and self-rated health (SRH) and identified 32 physically inactive smokers. Descriptive analyses and Fisher’s exact test were used to explore the proportion of those motivated for HBC and differences according to sex, age (45-55 vs. 56-65 years), and SRH (excellent-good vs. poor-very poor). Results Participants (50% female) were on average 52.6 years old and 78% had school education ≤10 years. Overall, 44% intended to change physical inactivity only, 34% intended to change both behaviors, 13% wanted to change neither, and 9% intended to change smoking only. There was no difference in HBC motivation according to sex and age. But, there was a significant difference according to SRH (Fisher’s exact = 0.048); e.g., there were more individuals motivated to change both behaviors among those with lower SRH (64%) compared to those with higher SRH (19%). Conclusions In this baseline sample of an intervention study, the majority of participants intended to change physical inactivity but not smoking. Among those with lower SRH, almost two-thirds intended to change both behaviors. Thus, individuals with more than one health risk behavior differ in their HBC motivation. Lower SRH may offer a window of opportunity to promote HBC interventions. Key messages • Physically inactive smokers with a systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg differ in their motivation to change these behaviors. • Lower self-rated health may offer a window of opportunity to promote interventions to change health behavior.


Background:
Evidence from western countries shows that the majority of adults have two or more health risk behaviors.The motivation to engage in a health behavior change (HBC) is the most proximal determinant of behavior change in the future.The aim of this study was to investigate the intention to increase physical activity and to quit smoking in an outpatient sample that show both health risk behaviors.

Results:
Participants (50% female) were on average 52.6 years old and 78% had school education 10 years.Overall, 44% intended to change physical inactivity only, 34% intended to change both behaviors, 13% wanted to change neither, and 9% intended to change smoking only.There was no difference in HBC motivation according to sex and age.But, there was a significant difference according to SRH (Fisher's exact = 0.048); e.g., there were more individuals motivated to change both behaviors among those with lower SRH (64%) compared to those with higher SRH (19%).

Conclusions:
In this baseline sample of an intervention study, the majority of participants intended to change physical inactivity but not smoking.Among those with lower SRH, almost two-thirds intended to change both behaviors.Thus, individuals with more than one health risk behavior differ in their HBC motivation.Lower SRH may offer a window of opportunity to promote HBC interventions.

Key messages:
Physically inactive smokers with a systolic blood pressure 130 mmHg differ in their motivation to change these behaviors.
Lower self-rated health may offer a window of opportunity to promote interventions to change health behavior.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.366Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 infodemic on older people in the region of Crete The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an unprecedented infodemic, a key global public health challenge.
Older people are more susceptible to COVID-19 and to misinformation, with WHO indicating the need for research on how people process and manage information in physical and digital environments to better understand how this phenomenon affects individuals.A qualitative study was developed in to explore the infodemic impact on elderly groups (eligible beneficiaries, aged 60-75 y, users of social services in the Heraklion Regional Unit, Crete Greece).
Preliminary results indicate low trust levels for information delivered online and through media.Physicians remain the most trusted and preferred source of information, yet participants questioned their expertise level given the various issues emerging during the pandemic.Most of them report poor quality, incomplete information and point out the misleading role of media pluralism.Key topics of concern include the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.The majority strongly believes that coronavirus is of lab origin, as they have read on the Internet.They are also susceptible to fake news and myths surrounding COVID-19 vaccines.Many of them also suffer from ''pandemic fatigue'', i.e., information overload, preferring not to further follow COVID-19 updates.Fear about their vulnerability was the major factor mentioned regarding scientific evidence, stating they prefer information to be conveyed clearly and in an understandable manner.Some exchange information with relatives and friends whilst others prefer not to discuss COVID-19, unless they consider the other person knows more than they do.Nevertheless, they all believe they make the best choices on how to protect their health, whilst having mixed feelings about the manner and content of communication received both in physical and digital environments.
stronger intention to get vaccinated in the future was associated with confidence in vaccine safety (b = .24,p<.01 and b = .20,p<.01 respectively) and efficacy (b = .28,p<.01 and b = .26,p<.001), higher feeling of danger of the disease (b = .21,p<.05 and b = .17,p<.05) and higher social responsibility (b = .35,p<.001 and b = .18,p<.01).Confidence in vaccine efficacy (b = .34,p<.001) and social responsibility (b = .24,p<.01), accompanied with higher sense of susceptibility to the disease (b = .13,p<.05), were significant predictors of intention in Serbia.In North Macedonia willingness to get the vaccine was significantly associated only with social responsibility (b = .09,p<.001), while in Montenegro age was the single predictor (b = -.32,p<.001);Conclusions:Results of this study suggest that vaccination campaigns should focus on specific set of socio-psychological factors in each country, enhancing confidence in vaccine efficacy and appealing to collective responsibility as most prevalent determinants of vaccination intention in Western Balkans.Key messages:Specific set of socio-psychological factors influenced vaccination intention in each country.