A Health Belief Model-Based Measurement for Profiling Vulnerability to Brucellosis

Purpose To develop and validate a health belief model-based Brucellosis Health Beliefs Scale (BHBS) and identify belief profiles and demographic correlates. Method From June to December 2021, a cross-sectional survey included 261 convenience-sampled livestock keepers ( M age = 47.26, SD = 12.90; 65.90% male) from rural communities in Anhui, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Liaoning in China. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and multigroup ESEM assessed structure and invariance; latent profile analysis identified profiles; Bolck–Croon–Hagenaars and robust three-step procedure tested profile differences and correlates. Results A six-factor 30-item scale showed acceptable reliability and invariance across gender, age, education, and working years. Three profiles emerged: “passive protectors” (20.69%), “constrained protectors” (67.82%), and “active protectors” (11.49%). Older age ( OR = 1.030, p = .03) and higher income ( OR = 1.272, p = .03) were associated with higher odds of passive versus constrained membership. Discussion The BHBS identifies prevention-belief profiles to inform targeted public health social work interventions.