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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42005653 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.72401

Maternal Perceptions and Practices in Trachoma Prevention: A Descriptive and Correlational Analysis Using the Health Belief Model in Rural Ethiopia.

Health Sci Rep 9(4):e72401

Authors: Zufan Alamrie Asmare, Almaw Genet Yeshiwas, Gashaw Melkie Bayeh, Tilahun Degu Tsega, Sintayehu Simie Tsega, Asaye Alamneh Gebeyehu, Getaneh Atikilt Yemata, Rahel Mulatie Anteneh, Amare Genetu Ejigu, Ahmed Fentaw Ahmed, Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw, Abathun Temesgen, Abebaw Molla Kebede, Habitamu Mekonen, Anley Shiferaw Enawgaw, Getasew Yirdaw, Berhanu Abebaw Mekonnen, Meron Asmamaw Alemayehu, Zekaryas Ewnetu Gashu, Chalachew Yenew

Affiliations

  • Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Health Science Debre Tabor University Debre Tabor Ethiopia.
  • Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Science Injibara University Injibara Ethiopia.
  • Department of Public Health College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University Injibara Ethiopia.
  • Department of Epidemiology School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University Jinan China.
  • Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia.
  • Depatment of Public Health, College of Health Science Debre Tabor University Debre Tabor Ethiopia.
  • Department of Midwifery College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University Injibara Ethiopia.
  • Facility of Health Science and Technology, University of Brazilia Brasília Brazil.
  • Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia.
  • Department of Human Nutrition College of Health Science, Debre Markos University Debre Markos Ethiopia.
  • Department of Public Health College of Health Sciences, Debre Markos University Debre Markos Ethiopia.
  • Department of Environmental Health Science College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Debre Markos University Debre Markos Ethiopia.
  • Department of Nutrition and Dietetics School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia.
  • Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia.
  • Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Gondar Gondar Ethiopia.
  • Department of Public Health Debre Tabor University Debra Tabor Ethiopia.
  • Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Trachoma remains a leading cause of preventable blindness in Ethiopia, where maternal preventive practices are critical for interrupting transmission. However, the psychosocial and perceptual landscape shaping these practices in high-burden rural communities is poorly characterized. This study describes maternal health beliefs and examines their correlational structure using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to inform the content and delivery of health education.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022 in the Andabet district, Northwest Ethiopia, involving 624 mothers with children under nine. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews using a validated HBM-based questionnaire. The analysis included descriptive statistics of socio-demographics and HBM constructs, as well as a Pearson correlation matrix to explore the relationships between perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and prevention practices.

RESULTS

Nearly half (49.5%) of mothers reported good trachoma prevention practices. Descriptive analysis revealed a high perceived severity (mean = 0.97, SD = 0.02) and strong belief in benefits (mean = 0.85, SD = 0.06), but moderate perceived susceptibility (mean = 0.65, SD = 0.20) and self-efficacy (mean = 0.68, SD = 0.21). A critical knowledge gap was identified, with only 38.5% recognizing flies as a transmission vector. Correlation analysis revealed negligible linear relationships between individual HBM constructs and prevention practices (all |r| < 0.1), as well as weak inter-construct correlations, suggesting independent, non-linear influences on behavior.

CONCLUSION

While mothers recognize trachoma's severity and value prevention, specific knowledge gaps and moderate self-efficacy levels persist. The lack of strong linear correlations highlights the complexity of health behavior, indicating that improving practices requires more than simply raising awareness. Health education must be multi-faceted, targeted, and designed to address specific misconceptions (e.g., fly transmission) while bolstering personal confidence and competence in performing preventive actions within resource-constrained realities.

MeSH

Mothers, Perception, Trachoma, Neglected Diseases, Education