Perceived Self-Efficacy and Its Determinants for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention Among Adults in Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

backgroundNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The burden of NCD-related morbidity and mortality can be reduced through the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors and the utilization of preventive healthcare services. Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy behavior and improving health outcomes. However, there is limited evidence regarding the magnitude of perceived self-efficacy in the study area. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the magnitude of perceived self-efficacy and its associated factors in preventing NCDs among adult residents in the Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

methodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, among adult residents of the Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 620 participants. Data were collected using interview-administered structured questionnaires through KoboToolbox and exported to STATA Version 16 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were computed, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify candidate variables associated with perceived self-efficacy in preventing NCDs. Variables with p value < 0.05 in the multivariable model were considered statistically significant. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and reported.

resultsOverall, 56.5% (95% CI: 52.5%-60.3%) of participants had high perceived self-efficacy toward engaging in NCD preventive behaviors. Middle-aged adults (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.01), older adults (AOR = 4.31; 95% CI: 2.08, 8.07), participants reporting good perceived general health status (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.38, 6.28), perceived benefit of health action (AOR = 5.54; 95% CI: 3.32, 9.25), and perceived cues to action (AOR = 4.35; 95% CI: 2.75, 6.88) were positively associated with high perceived self-efficacy in preventing NCDs. However, perceived barriers to health actions (AOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.88) were negatively associated with high perceived self-efficacy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The study found that more than half of the participants demonstrated high perceived self-efficacy in preventing NCDs. Being middle or older, having a good perceived general health status, perceiving benefits of health actions, and having cues to action were positively associated with self-efficacy, whereas perceived barriers to health actions were negatively associated with perceived self-efficacy. These findings suggest that policymakers and healthcare providers should strengthen community-based health promotion and social and behavior change interventions aimed at improving individuals' efficacy in engaging in NCD preventive behaviors.