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[Latent factors generating health behavior and health consciousness].

PURPOSE
The purpose of the present study was to explore structural relationships among health behavior and health consciousness and to delineate latent factors underlying them.


METHODS
Data used in this study were obtained from a mail survey conducted by Toshima City Government, Tokyo, in 2002. The subjects were 3,000 community residents, living in the city, ranging in age from 20 to 79 years. The response rate was 54.3%. The data for 1,301 respondents without missing observations were analyzed. A second-order factor model utilizing 23 items of health behavior and health consciousness as observed indicators was developed for the analysis.


RESULTS
Covariance structure analysis showed that a model consisting of 23 observed indicators, 9 latent first-order factors, and one second-order factor fitted well and explained the structure of health behavior and health consciousness: the 23 items of health behavior and health consciousness were indicatives of the latent second-order factor named Health-oriented Attitude. The second-order factor score was significantly higher in respondents willing to participate in programs of public health agencies than in those not willing.


CONCLUSION
The results imply that reinforcement of the health-oriented attitude may bring about improved health consciousness and practice of health behavior. They also suggest the necessity to reconsider traditional programs of public health agencies because persons with a weak health-oriented attitude are less likely to participate.