02364nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260002300042653001400065653003300079653002000112653002000132653002600152100001100178700000900189700001200198700001000210700000900220245012700229856011500356300000800471490000700479520161000486022001402096       2024                            d  bFrontiers Media SA10aEducation10aProtection motivation theory10aBehavior Change10aSchistosomiasis10aBehavior modification1 aWang Y1 aLi C1 aZhang J1 aMao Y1 aLi W00aProtection motivation theory in predicting intentional behaviors regards schistosomiasis: a WeChat-based qualitative study  uhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1295081/pdf?isPublishedV2=false  a1-70 v123 a<p><strong>Background:</strong> Modifications of behavior can help reduce the risk of transmission by disrupting the parasite life cycle. Behavior intension is a necessary intermediate step in behavior change. This study aimed to explore protection motivation theory (PMT) in predicting likelihood of engagement in protective behavior against infection with Schistosoma.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong> In China, a questionnaire for data collection was sent to users who followed the WeChat public account from June 2 to 6, 2023. Factors affecting intentional behavior of participants were analyzed using stepwise regression analysis and structural equation modeling.</p>

<p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2,243 valid questionnaires were collected, with a mean age of 30 ± 8.4 years. Approximately 1,395 (62.2%) participants reported that they had been exposed to wild waters in daily work and life. About 51.0 and 50.7% of respondents reported never having been exposed to wild water in the last 3 and 6 months, respectively. Results indicated that prior knowledge of schistosomiasis was associated with the 7 PMT subconstructs, which then influenced future preventative behaviors.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Behavior intentionis a complicated and indispensable part of behavior change that is influenced by professional knowledge, socio-economic status, and personal characteristics. The effective dissemination of knowledge regards schistosomiasis should be strengthened to emphasize the effectiveness of protective measures against infection and severe disease.</p>
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