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the-role-of-prospect-theory-in-screening-behavior-decisionmaking-in-ahealthinsured-population-of-south-africa-2161-0487-1000208.pdf (449.17 kB)

The role of prospect theory in screening behavior decision-making in a health-insured population of South Africa

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posted on 2023-06-09, 06:32 authored by Leegale Adonis, Debashis Basu, John Da Silva LuizJohn Da Silva Luiz
Background: Prospect theory suggests that people avoid risks when faced with the benefits of a decision but take risks when faced with the costs of a decision. Screening for diseases can be defined as a ‘risk’, in the context of uncertainty. The outcome can either be a ‘benefit’ of good health or a ‘cost’ of ill health or poor-quality health. Purpose: To assess whether prospect theory can predict screening behavior in the context of a chronic disease diagnosis as well as the exposure to incentives to screen. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal case-control study for the period 2008-2011 was conducted using a random 1% sample of 170,471 health-insured members, assessing screening for cancers, chronic diseases of lifestyle and HIV, some of whom voluntarily join an incentivized wellness program. Results: Individuals diagnosed with a chronic disease screened up to 9.0% less for some diseases over time. Mammogram screening however increased (p<0.001). Where a family member was diagnosed with a chronic disease, individual screening decreased up to 8.6%. Similarly females in families where a member was diagnosed with a chronic disease screened more for breast cancer (p<0.001). Males were more sensitive to incentives only for HIV screening (p<0.001), while the female responses to incentives were inconsistent. Conclusion: A chronic disease diagnosis or the risk of developing a chronic disease resulted in reduced future screening behavior for most diseases. The role of incentives was inconsistent. Prospect theory adequately predicts screening behavior when diagnosed or faced with a possible chronic disease diagnosis for most screening tests except for females screening for breast cancer.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy

ISSN

2161-0487

Publisher

OMICS International

Issue

5

Volume

5

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-06-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-06-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-06-06

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