Factors Associated With Cigarette Smoking Based on the Integrated Model of Protection Motivation Theory With Health Literacy

Background: Although researchers have performed several smoking-related investigations, limited achievements been found in decreasing rates of smoking because most them were not implemented based on the appropriate theory. This study aimed to apply structural equation modeling (SEM) method examine relationships between protection motivation theory (PMT) constructs, health literacy, and behavior among university students. Methods: In current cross-sectional investigation, 542 students Mashhad Universities Applied Sciences collected using cluster sampling August 2022. The data collection tools sociodemographic, PMT, literacy questionnaires. analyzed SPSS 24. Moreover, SEM was by applying Amos. Pearson correlation examination other variables. Amos 18, indexes calculated, including chi-square/degrees freedom (χ2 /df), goodness fit index, root mean square error approximation, comparative Tucker Lewis index. Results: resulting model demonstrated an acceptable with studied data. Smoking significantly associated higher intention extrinsic intrinsic rewards perceived cost lower response efficacy, self-efficacy, vulnerability; nonetheless, self-efficacy had more effects, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: It can be beneficial increase people’s order further trust themselves so that they successfully avoid via reinforcement coping skills.