Using the risk behaviour diagnosis scale to understand Australian Aboriginal smoking - A cross-sectional validation survey in regional New South Wales

Gillian Sandra Gould; Kerrianne Watt; Yvonne Cadet-James; Alan R Clough

doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2014.10.004

Using the risk behaviour diagnosis scale to understand Australian Aboriginal smoking - A cross-sectional validation survey in regional New South Wales

Prev Med Rep. 2014 Nov 7:2:4-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2014.10.004. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Gillian Sandra Gould¹, Kerrianne Watt², Yvonne Cadet-James³, Alan R Clough⁴

Affiliations

¹ College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia; Southern Cross University, Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia.
² College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
³ Indigenous Centre, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, P.O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia.

Abstract

Objective: To validate, for the first time, the Risk Behaviour Diagnosis (RBD) Scale for Aboriginal Australian tobacco smokers, based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Despite high smoking prevalence, little is known about how Indigenous peoples assess their smoking risks.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 121 aboriginal smokers aged 18-45 in regional New South Wales, in 2014, RBD subscales were assessed for internal consistency. Scales included measures of perceived threat (susceptibility to and severity of smoking risks) and perceived efficacy (response efficacy and self-efficacy for quitting). An Aboriginal community panel appraised face and content validity. EPPM constructs of danger control (protective motivation) and fear control (defensive motivation) were assessed for cogency.

Results: Scales had acceptable to good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.65-1.0). Most participants demonstrated high-perceived threat (77%, n = 93); and half had high-perceived efficacy (52%, n = 63). High-perceived efficacy with high-threat appeared consistent with danger control dominance; low-perceived efficacy with high-threat was consistent with fear control dominance.

Conclusions: In these Aboriginal smokers of reproductive age, the RBD Scale appeared valid and reliable. Further research is required to assess whether the RBD Scale and EPPM can predict quit attempts and assist with tailored approaches to counselling and targeted health promotion campaigns.

Keywords: Australian Aborigines; Behavioural medicine; Health communication; Health promotion; Indigenous population; Mass media; Risk behaviours; Smoking cessation; Tobacco smoking; Validation studies.