Health beliefs affect the correct replacement of daily disposable contact lenses: Predicting compliance with the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the compliance of Daily Disposable Contact Lenses (DDCLs) wearers with replacing lenses at a manufacturer-recommended replacement frequency. To evaluate the ability of two different Health Behavioural Theories (HBT), The Health Belief Model (HBM) and The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), in predicting compliance.


METHODS
A multi-centre survey was conducted using a questionnaire completed anonymously by contact lens wearers during the purchase of DDCLs.


RESULTS
Three hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were returned. The survey comprised 58.5% females and 41.5% males (mean age 34±12years). Twenty-three percent of respondents were non-compliant with manufacturer-recommended replacement frequency (re-using DDCLs at least once). The main reason for re-using DDCLs was "to save money" (35%). Predictions of compliance behaviour (past behaviour or future intentions) on the basis of the two HBT was investigated through logistic regression analysis: both TPB factors (subjective norms and perceived behavioural control) were significant (p<0.01); HBM was less predictive with only the severity (past behaviour and future intentions) and perceived benefit (only for past behaviour) as significant factors (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Non-compliance with DDCLs replacement is widespread, affecting 1 out of 4 Italian wearers. Results from the TPB model show that the involvement of persons socially close to the wearers (subjective norms) and the improvement of the procedure of behavioural control of daily replacement (behavioural control) are of paramount importance in improving compliance. With reference to the HBM, it is important to warn DDCLs wearers of the severity of a contact-lens-related eye infection, and to underline the possibility of its prevention.
Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, University of Rome "Sapienza", Italy. Electronic address: stefano.livi@gmail.com.
Stefano
S
Livi
School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK; Department of Sciences, Roma TRE University, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Zeri
Department of Sciences, Roma TRE University, Italy.
Rossella
R
Baroni
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003261:Contact Lenses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003469:Culture; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Compliance; Daily disposable contact lenses; Health Behavioural Theories; Health Belief Model; Theory of Planned Behaviour