Influencing Factors on Students' Pedestrian Safety Behavior: A Descriptive Analytical Study.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing pedestrians' preventive behaviors regarding road traffic safety among students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework.

Methods: In 2022, a total of 337 SBMU students were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected using a 45-item questionnaire based on HBM constructs: perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and behavior. The questionnaire was distributed electronically via SBMU's social media channels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 18). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 26.68±2.8 years. The most significant influential factor was family (94.3%), followed by social media. Among HBM constructs, perceived susceptibility had the highest mean score. A one-point increase in perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and cues to action scores significantly increased the likelihood of adherence to safe pedestrian behavior (β=0.06, p=0.04; β=0.121, p<0.001; β=0.219, p=0.003, respectively). Conversely, an increase in perceived barriers significantly decreased adherence to safe pedestrian behavior (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Family and social media play a crucial role in shaping students' perceptions of road traffic safety. Enhancing perceived susceptibility and benefits, as well as providing effective cues to action, can significantly promote preventive behaviors among students.