Health behaviors versus health locus of control in people diagnosed with cholelithiasis

Background: Cholelithiasis is a disease largely related to people’s health behaviors. Proper diet and physical activity help to protect oneself from the disease. The effectiveness in obeying the recommendations regarding health behaviors depends on personal beliefs about health locus of control.

Aim of the study: to present the relation between preferred health behaviors and health locus of control in patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis, as a determinant of maintaining optimal health.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 100 patients suffering from cholelithiasis treated in the Paluckie Health Center in Znin, the surgery ward.

Health behaviors were determined using Health Behaviors Inventory by Juczynski and health locus of control was assessed using MHLC questionnaire version B in Juczynski’s adaptation.

Results: People diagnosed with cholelithiasis presented a high level of health behaviors. They were characterized by a high level of mental attitude and prophylactic behaviors along with an average level of health practices and a low level of eating habits. Examined patients gained their highest results in the internal locus of control and the lowest in the chance dimension. Patients with high results in internal and powerful others dimensions achieved better results regarding proper eating habits, prophylactic practices and positive mental attitude, whereas patients presenting low results in the chance locus of control had better results concerning health practices.

Conclusions: Obtained results may become a significant element in planning education for the patients. It may also help to increase the level of knowledge and support patients in taking care of their own health.