Precaution Adoption Process Model

Public health workers are often like marketers trying to sell a product. They would like to know how to "sell" consumers on a health behavior; for example, they may want to persuade consumers to get enough calcium to prevent osteoporosis. It would be important to know whether consumers care about osteoporosis or if they even know what it is.

The Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) is a convenient framework for assessing where a person is in the process of deciding to take action on a health behavior. Not all health behaviors, however, fit the seven stages of this model. Some conditions involve complex behaviors such as protecting against skin cancer by wearing sunscreen, limiting time in the sun, and being screened by a dermatologist. A person may be in Stage 6 because they wear sunscreen but in Stage 1 because they have moles that need to be screened by a healthcare provider. In this example, the PAPM may not be a good fit.

For this Discussion, select a health condition to research. Review the literature, and select a peer-reviewed article about the illness or health condition. Consider how you would apply the seven stages of the PAPM to this health issue. (See Figures 6.1 and 6.2 on page 127 of the text for example diagrams.)

With these thoughts in mind:

Post 3-4 pages of a brief description of the article you selected. Then, construct a diagram in a Word file that depicts the stages of the Precaution Adoption Process Model as it applies to your selected illness or health condition. Describe the strengths and limitations of the model as it applies to the illness or health condition you selected.