Using the theory of planned behaviour to predict nurses' intention to provide health education and advices to patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a growing worldwide epidemic. It has been identified as a target in preventive cardiology where health education and therapeutic lifestyle modification remain the cornerstone for cardiac preventive care.AIM The purpose of this study was to explore nurses’intention to provide health education and advices to patients with MetS.

METHODS Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), a questionnaire was developed and used for data collection in this survey study. A convenience sample of 200 nurses completed the questionnaire. Demographics and TPB-related data (intention, attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control) were collected for data analysis.

RESULTS Reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by test retest method and Cronbach’s alpha to evaluate its temporal stability and internal consistency respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis was done to assess the con-struct validity of the questionnaire. The results confirmed that the questionnaire is reliable and valid. Structural Equation Modelling analysis showed that the overall fit of the model to the data was good. Nurses’ attitude and subjective norm related significantly to their intention. However, perceived behavioural control did not have significant direct effect on intention, and it only significantly correlated with attitude and subjective norm. The model explained 36% of nurses’ intention to provide health education and advices to patients with MetS in this study.

CONCLUSION Nurses’ attitude and subjective norm were the critical factors that impacted on their behavioural intention. Strategies that aim to increase the intention could emphasise on the behavioural and normative beliefs of nurses.