Understanding The Explanatory Theory, and The Precaution Adoption Process Model

Under explanatory theory are the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Precaution Adoption Process Model. The explanatory theory explains why a problem exists and how to change the issue. The theory can be of help when the public health officials and other health practitioners identify the cause of a disease and how to prevent its future occurrence. The theory describes issues such as lack of knowledge as a reason to why health conditions exist. Upon understanding that the general public ought to be educated on preventive measures and health promotion interventions, a public awareness campaign about a particular disease can be helpful in eradicating the problem.

Health Belief Model

This health model falls under the explanatory theory where health officials intended to explain why very few people participated in disease prevention and detection programs. The model is based on certain principles that can help to determine the preparedness of the people in preventing and detecting diseases.

Perceived Susceptibility

The Health Belief Model urges people to believe in the chances of getting a condition. Under the perception, the public health officials ought to take the responsibility of informing a given population on the diseases that they might be infected with as well as their levels of risk to the disease. Creating such a notion helps the public in being extra careful on how to keep themselves away from activities that may increase their chances of getting the disease. For instance, adolescents are susceptible to getting being infected with diseases such as STD’s and HIV/AIDS when they are outdoors (Johansson, Laflamme and Eliasson, 2010).

Perceived Severity

The model urges people to perceive how dangerous a condition may be. Health officials can intervene on disease prevention by educating the public about the effects of a given disease. Medical doctors can educate patients who seek treatments on how to prevent other people and them from diseases since the effects are severe.

Perceived Benefits

These are the beliefs about the benefits of taking precautions against a condition. Medical doctors and public health officials can inform a particular population of people about the right time to take an action that will not leave them infected by a disease. For instance, the doctors can educate patients in the right time on the usage of condoms so as to enjoy the positive results of the short-term pleasure. In using the protective devices, individuals will not get infected, and those who are already infected will live to celebrate their efforts to protect their partners from being infected (Brainbridge, 2009).

It is the confidence that the explanatory theory gives individuals. In the prevention of disease, health officials ought to train patients and the general public on how to boldly carry out activities bearing in mind that they can get infected. Self-efficacy should involve encouraging the public to set their goals on the kind of life they would wish to live. That may involve demonstrating desired behaviors that can help in preventing diseases and promoting a healthy life.

Precaution Adoption Process Model

The explanatory theory through the model named above specifies distinct stages that tend to eliminate the inefficiency of knowledge on a particular conduct. According to the model, the public ought to be made aware about a particular disease, get educated on making decisions and leaving behind the issue that may engage them. Again, acting to prevent the disease and to maintain a healthy life should be the key issues that the health practitioners should give the first priority in the journey to creating awareness on prevention of diseases and maintaining a healthy life.