Health beliefs and pediatric emergency department after-care adherence.
This study's purpose was to apply a multivariate adaptation of the Health Belief Model (HBM) to examine parental adherence to pediatric emergency department (ED) after-care instructions. Parents/legal guardians (n = 162) of children ages 0-17 years with minor (noncritical) conditions (e.g. abrasion/contusion, laceration) completed health beliefs and demographics questionnaires while waiting for their child to be seen. Postdischarge, children's medical records were reviewed for after-care instructions and insurance status, and parents were phoned to assess adherence to specific after-care instructions. In logistic regressions, health beliefs (barriers, severity, susceptibility) and child age significantly predicted several postdischarge adherence behaviors, including home care procedures and prescription medication purchase. Results are discussed as they relate to the effects of specific health belief variables and the need for further refinement of the HBM in accordance with the changing health care system; clinical applications are proposed.
Soliday
E
E
Washington State University, 14204 Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686, USA.
Hoeksel
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance