The role of health beliefs in affecting patients’ chronic diabetic complication screening: a path analysis based on the health belief model

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of health beliefs in affecting patients’ chronic diabetic complication (CDC) screening. BACKGROUND: Patients’ adherence to the guideline‐recommended CDC screening was far from optimal. While many demographic and clinical characteristics were documented to influence patients’ adherence, psychological profiles, such as health beliefs, were not well studied before. It is crucial to understand how health beliefs affect patients’ CDC screening behaviour and thus to provide implications for future intervention programmes. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional study was conducted. METHODS: 785 type 2 diabetes were enrolled from the community health centre in Wuhou District, Chengdu, China. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data regarding the demographic and clinical information, knowledge about CDC, health belief model constructs and CDC screening behaviour. Mediation analysis was performed to explore the mechanisms of health belief model constructs on CDC screening behaviour. The study methods were compliant with the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: Knowledge had a significant indirect effect on CDC screening behaviour through perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self‐efficiency. Cues to action exerted both significant direct and indirect effects on CDC screening behaviour. The indirect effects of cues to action were exerted through perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers and self‐efficiency. CONCLUSION: Health beliefs played vital roles in mediating the effects of knowledge and cues to action on patients’ CDC screening behaviour. Health beliefs should be assessed and modified through creative educational methods. Strategies aimed at increasing cues to action are also expected to facilitate patients’ CDC screening behaviour. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICES: The study contributes to the exploration of how health beliefs affect patients’ CDC screening behaviour. The results could be used to inspire future community‐based intervention programmes.