Health screening behaviors among adults with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in North America.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:This study aimed to identify factors that influence screening behaviors of adults with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). METHODS:Participants with a self-reported diagnosis of HHT were recruited from the HHT Foundation International, Inc.; the "HHT Awareness" Facebook group; and six HHT clinics. A cross-sectional mixed methods survey was administered to investigate the relationships among the Health Belief model constructs, the domains of illness representations, and HHT-specific screening behaviors consistent with recommended guidelines. RESULTS:A total of 320 participants reported rates of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) screenings, pulmonary AVM screenings, and HHT annual checkups that were 82.0, 67.1, and 56.5%, respectively. Logistical regression analysis showed that perceived barriers (? = -0.114, P < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (? = 0.117, P < 0.05), treatment control (? = 0.078, P < 0.05), and emotional representations (? = 0.067, P < 0.05) were significant predictors of HHT screening. Open-ended responses revealed perceived barriers to screening, including a lack of health-care providers (HCPs) familiar with and/or knowledgeable about HHT. CONCLUSION:Our results reveal suboptimal screening rates among adults with HHT and identify several factors influencing these behaviors. We suggest that there is a need for increased provider education regarding HHT as well as approaches that providers can use to improve screening adherence.Genet Med advance online publication 13 October 2016.
SUBMITTER: Baxter M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5391304 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
ACCESS DATA