Harris Health Belief Model

The health belief model (HBM) offers an excellent strategy to address the case of Harris described in the case study. This is because according to DiClemente, Salazar & Crosby (2013), the health belief model is simple, logical, and well-articulated. In applying this model to the case of Harris; who started smoking at the age of 14, has been smoking for about seven years, appears to be becoming addictive, and is becoming aware of the dangers of smoking because he is developing some health issues, and is willing to quit, but does not have sufficient self-efficacy, then the benefit-versus-cost of the HBM will be applied, and more cues to action, as well as strategies to boost his self-efficacy, thereby removing any barriers to the use of professional health services (Cortrell, Girvan, McKenzie & Seabert, 2015).
To apply the HBM to Harris’ case, an initial approach will be to inform Harris on the dangers of smoking to his health, this is, increasing (amplifying) the perceived threat, which in this case is the “difficulty breathing”. Informing him it will only get worse, if he does not modify his behavior and quit smoking. This will be tied to increased severity, using the fear factor (DiClemente, Salazar & Crosby, 2013). Then more cues to action will be introduced, such as, pointing out to him his health condition - trouble breathing, advertisement on dangers of smoking, and advise from friends and family members. The next approach is to improve Harris’ self-efficacy needed for his decision change, “since he wants to change but does not know how”, seeking professional help to address his breathing problems and professional help to quit, since he cannot do it by himself, that is, his perceived self-efficacy is