Aims and Scope

ReviewerCreditsAdvances in Health and Behavior (AHB) (ISSN: 2630-466X) published biannually, is an international peer reviewed journal that publishes empirical and theoretical articles that apply sociological concepts and methods to the understanding of health and illness and the organization of medicine and health care.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following: 
• Health policy management and behavioral health
• Medical behavior, medical humanities and doctor-patient relationship
• Psychological behavior and quality of life
• Physical illness and mental health
• Public health and behavioral health
• The clinical diagnosis and treatment and behavior management
• Psychological behavioral health diagnosis and assessment
• Psychological behavior intervention and treatment  
• Behavioral medicine and nursing and functional rehabilitation
• The behavioral medicine research
• Behavioral medicine and other interdisciplinary
• Smoke and health
• Drink and health
• Sleep and health

Vol 6 (2023)

Published: 2022-12-21

-- In Progress --

Abstract views: 1234   PDF downloads: 525  
2023-03-06

Page 263-274

Stress, stressors, stress responses and coping strategies among student nurses in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria

blankpage Anulika Johnson Afonne, Nneka Regina Agbakoba, Clementina Ukamaka Nwankwo

The study was a cross-sectional survey, aimed at assessing the level of perceived stress, common sources of perceived stress, physio-psycho-social responses and coping strategies to stress among student nurses undergoing training in Anambra State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique method was adopted for the study in which 183 student nurses from 4 different institutions were surveyed. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to determine the respondent’s level of stress and sources of stress. Physio-psycho-social response scale (PPSRS) was used to ascertain the respondent’s physio-psycho-social well-being, while coping behaviour inventory (CBI) was used to assess the respondents coping strategies. Results showed that 77.66 % of the participants had moderate level of perceived stress (mean score range 1.34-2.66), while 8.83 % had high level of stress (mean score range 2.67-4.00) and 13.51 % low stress level (mean score range 0-1.33). The major source of stress for most of the students was from assignments and workload. The overall mean PPSRS indicated a best health status for most of the institutions. The scores for all the institutions fell within the moderate use of the coping strategies, and the most common coping strategy adopted by the students was problem-solving behaviour. It is recommended that institutions and nurse educators should adopt measures to reduce stress on the students, by giving out assignments at the commencement of a course to give ample time for students to accomplish the academic tasks.

Abstract views: 683   PDF downloads: 387  
2023-02-27

Page 253-262

Assessment of the dietary pattern and serum zinc concentrations of adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State

blankpage Peace Nkennaya Ugbonta, Alphonsus C. Obi-Okaro, Nkiru N. Ezeama

Dietary pattern is a parameter that assesses the general profile of food and nutrient consumption which is characterized on the basis of the usual eating habits. This study was conducted to assess the dietary pattern and serum zinc concentrations of adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State. To achieve this, a cross-sectional analytical study design was conducted on a designed questionnaire distributed amongst 252 respondents to collate data on their socio-demographic characteristics on age, sex, marital status, religion, occupation, and educational levels. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was also carried out to assess adults’ dietary patterns daily, weekly, sometimes and none, on some foods such as cereals, vegetables, legumes, milk & dairy, meat, fish & seafood, eggs, roots, and tubers. Serum zinc was conducted on 50 volunteered adults from the study area. Serum zinc levels present in the collected blood samples were analyzed with the aid of an Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Data obtained was analyzed with the aid of SPSS software on mean, standard deviation, t-test, and ANOVA for the hypothesis. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as a zinc level of less than 46 ug/dl from a reference book. The mean concentrations of serum zinc of healthy adults conducted were recorded as male 49.566 ± 19.384, female 24.017±6.999, 38.025±24.862 (18-25years ), 37.305±18.263 (26-40years) and 39.294±19.446 (41-55years) respectively. The results revealed that serum zinc concentrations in the participating healthy adults were within the reference level of 46 ug/dl, and also statistically significant at a p-value of 0.01 for the alternate hypothesis. Also, the relationship test of association between dietary pattern and serum zinc concentration is statistically significant as their p-value was less than 0.05 (0.027). Also, the tests confer with the alternate hypothesis that the association between dietary pattern and serum zinc concentration of adults in Umuahia North LGA is statistically significant. This study, therefore, recommends that studies should be carried out in other areas where symptoms of zinc deficiency are evident.

Abstract views: 766   PDF downloads: 477  
2022-12-21

Page 242-252

Determinants of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices for COVID-19 infection in Goma, DRC

blankpage Willy Missumba Kakozi, Barry Katembo, Pierrot Mazirane, Patricia Mishika Lukusa, Edo Baluntu, Espérance Makombe, Claudine Munyatwari Bahire, Justin Murabazi, Olivier Mukuku, Zacharie Kibendelwa Tsongo, Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama

Purpose: In view of the resurgence of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the North Kivu province, particularly in Goma city, the epicenter of the disease, it is necessary to study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the population of Goma city on COVID-19 infection.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 15 to August 15, 2021. A 3-degree cluster survey was conducted in Goma city, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed by the STATA 15 software.
Results: 1,194 individuals responded to the survey and had heard of COVID-19; 74.62% of the respondents had good knowledge, 77.39% had a positive attitude, and 45.48% practiced preventive measures against COVID-19. Determinants of good knowledge were the age groups 30-39 years and 40-49 years, secondary and higher/university educational levels, and not having suffered from COVID-19. Determinants of positive attitude were female sex, having a professional occupation, having a family member or close relative who had suffered from COVID-19, and living in the Karisimbi municipality. Determinants of better practice were female sex, secondary and higher/university educational levels, not having a professional occupation, and having a family member or close relative who had suffered from COVID-19.
Conclusion: To effectively control this epidemic, it is essential to strengthening risk communication with full community participation. This strategy must be coupled with measures to make prevention methods available to the benefit of the entire population.

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Alba Malara-photo  ISSN: 2630-466X
 Abbreviation: Adv Health Behav
 Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Alba Malara(Italy)
 Publishing Frequency: Continuous publication
 Article Processing Charges (APC):
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 Publishing Model:
Open Access