Health locus-of-control, health beliefs and family planning behavior among Middle Eastern women living in the United States.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of the relationships among health locus of control, health beliefs and family planning behavior among Middle Eastern women living temporarily in the United States. A correlational descriptive design was used. A convenience sample of 80 Middle Eastern women were chosen as representatives for this study from the University of Arizona Family Housing, Tucson Islamic Center, Saudi Arabian Student Club, and the University of Arizona International Student Center. Four instruments were utilized to collect data: (1) Health Locus of Control Scale, (2) Modified Health Belief Instrument, (3) Demographic/Preferences Data Tool, and (4) Family Planning Survey. Data analysis included use of descriptive statistics to summarize the differences between the two groups (adequate and inadequate contraceptive users) on each set of health belief variables, health locus of control variables and demographic/preferences variables. Significant findings on the health belief and health locus of control instruments, separately and together was followed by stepwise discriminant analysis to identify the variables on which the groups differ and the nature of the dimensions on which they differ. The study findings indicated that adequate contraceptive users perceived the seriousness of pregnancy and benefits of contraception, while inadequate contraceptive users perceived barriers of contraception. On the other hand adequate contraceptive users had self-control over health, belief in provider control over health, had less general health threat, and more health value than inadequate contraceptive users. Four variables in the health belief and health locus of control scales were included in a discriminant function analysis. This indicated that general health, self-control over health, barriers of contraception and seriousness of pregnancy variables fully differentiated the two groups.