Gender and the Relationship Between Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Behaviors for Cardiovascular Health Among Adults - The Effects of Conditional Process Modeling.

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of morbidity and premature mortality among men and women in most industrialized and many developing countries. Cardiovascular health (CVH) is a relatively new term that focuses on maintaining good health not only on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

PURPOSE

To demonstrate gender differences in selected elements regarding CVH, such as cardio-protection knowledge, behaviors for CVH, and self-efficacy and in the relationships between them.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 157 respondents (70% women) aged 20-60 was included. The research tool consisted of four parts: the List of Health Behaviors - CVH version, the Test of Cardio-protection Knowledge, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and a sociomedical survey. To estimate the direct and indirect effects between the variables, a bootstrapping procedure was adopted, as recommended for small- and medium-sized samples.

RESULTS

There were no gender differences in cardio-protection knowledge, but the groups differed in the levels of behaviors for CVH and self-efficacy. Women generally declared a higher level of healthy behaviors, whereas men demonstrated a higher level of self-efficacy. Women reported more healthy activities related to diet. Men more frequently practiced resistance exercise. The relationships between cardio-protection knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors for CVH were different in men and women.

CONCLUSION

Further research should focus more on gender differences in mechanisms underlying health behaviors. Health-promoting programs should give more attention than before to how to differentiate the messages sent to men and women.