Citation

Barchi F, Winter SC, Ramaphane P, Dougherty D. J. Health Care Poor Underserved 2019; 30(2): 653-667.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Johns Hopkins University Press)

DOI

10.1353/hpu.2019.0048

PMID

31130543

Abstract

Although research assessing the role of self-efficacy in health behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, recent research in Botswana suggests that travel time, frequency of visits, and sexual violence influence women's health-seeking. This study used cross-sectional data from 479 women collected in 2012 in Botswana to test the psychometric properties of the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) in Setswana, the local language, as a measure of self-efficacy.

FINDINGS confirm the GSE's validity as a unidimensional measure of self-efficacy in this population. Regression analyses suggest that each additional point increase on the Setswana GSE reduces by one third the odds that a woman would forego a clinic visit. Frequency of clinic visits and experiences of sexual violence were also significant predictors. Interventions that enhance self-efficacy may contribute to Botswana's health promotion efforts but will be limited if they fail to address sexual violence and how it is viewed in this setting.

Language: en