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PubMed1992

Determinants of child-bearing intentions of low-income women: attitudes versus life circumstances.

Surveys of low-income women in Los Angeles County in 1985 and 1986 were used to examine the relative impact of child-bearing motivations versus life circumstances on the intention to have a(nother) child. Future child-bearing intentions are strongly related to current parity level regardless of marital status, race/ethnicity or economic status. Psychological motivating factors predict child-bearing intentions of nulliparous women, but not those of parous women. Multivariate analyses showed that motivation for parenthood and life circumstances combined predicted women's child-bearing intentions 88.6% of the time for nulliparous women, but 73.7% for parous women. These findings suggest that, in a low-income population, the onset of parenthood reduces the relationship between specific motivations for child-bearing and actual child-bearing intentions, and diminishes the ability to predict child-bearing intentions based on both attitudinal and social/structural factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Hispanic adults' beliefs, attitudes, and intentions regarding the female condom.

The present study used the theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1985) augmented by AIDS knowledge to investigate factors influencing intentions of Hispanic adults to use the female condom. A total of 146 persons (75 women and 71 men; mean age, 27 years) recruited from community-based organizations completed an anonymous survey regarding intentions to use the female condom with their main sex partner. The TPB model had greater predictive utility for women's, than for men's, female condom use intentions. For men, attitudes and norms did not predict female condom use intentions, but greater AIDS knowledge was related to lower intentions to use the female condom, above and beyond the TPB constructs. Perceived behavioral control, operationalized as self-efficacy, significantly increased the predictive utility of the TPB model for women's female condom use intentions but not for men's. Behavior change strategies to increase female condom use are discussed in light of these findings.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2003

A connectionist implementation of the theory of planned behavior: association of beliefs with exercise intention.

The theory of planned behavior suggests attitudes are a product of salient beliefs. This study examined whether aggregating salient beliefs was plausible within a more biologically centered information-processing environment. A neural network was used to examine associations among beliefs relating to exercise intention. Data on intentions and behavioral, normative, and control beliefs from 114 respondents were used to train (by error backpropagation) a neural network to associate beliefs with intention. The R-sup-2 between the network's estimated and self-reported intention was.66. The network's representation comprised 6 belief profiles associated with high, moderate, or low behavioral intention. The neural network accommodated complex relationships among beliefs and belief-intention associations and indicated how high-level constructs such as attitudes may be viewed as the best fit (compromise state) between aroused beliefs.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Suicidal intent in non-fatal illicit drug overdose.

AIM: To explore suicidal intent among drug users experiencing non-fatal overdose. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-seven drug users experiencing non-fatal overdose and attending six hospital accident and emergency departments in two Scottish cities during 1997 and 1998. MEASUREMENTS: The extent of suicidal intent and motivations for intentional overdosing were examined. FINDINGS: The incidence of suicidal intent was high, with 38 respondents (49%) reporting suicidal thoughts or feelings before overdosing. Suicidal actions were significantly associated with a self-reported history of life-time mental health problems and with not using heroin prior to overdosing, but not with other demographic or drug history data. Qualitative data indicated that intentional overdosing was frequently not driven by a clear and unambiguous desire to die. Furthermore, suicidal actions were motivated by a range of psychosocial factors, including: (i) predisposing personal circumstances; (ii) precipitating events; and (iii) poor individual coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The issue of suicidal intent needs to be addressed routinely in hospital wards and accident and emergency departments so that the need for support can be assessed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Effects of information framing on the intentions of family physicians to prescribe long-term hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the way in which information on benefits and harms of long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is presented influences family physicians' intentions to prescribe this treatment. DESIGN: Family physicians were randomized to receive information on treatment outcomes expressed in relative terms, or as the number needing to be treated (NNT) with HRT to prevent or cause an event. A control group received no information. SETTING: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS: Family physicians practicing in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. INTERVENTION: Estimates of the impact of long-term HRT on risk of coronary events, hip fractures, and breast cancer were summarized as relative (proportional) decreases or increases in risk, or as NNT. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intention to prescribe HRT for seven hypothetical patients was measured on Likert scales. Of 389 family physicians working in the Hunter Valley, 243 completed the baseline survey and 215 participated in the randomized trial. Baseline intention to prescribe varied across patients-it was highest in the presence of risk factors for hip fracture, but coexisting risk factors for breast cancer had a strong negative influence. Overall, a larger proportion of subjects receiving information expressed as NNT had reduced intentions, and a smaller proportion had increased intentions to prescribe HRT than those receiving the information expressed in relative terms, or the control group. However, the differences were small and only reached statistical significance for three hypothetical patients. Framing effects were minimal when the hypothetical patient had coexisting risk factors for breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Information framing had some effect on family physicians' intentions to prescribe HRT, but the effects were smaller than those previously reported, and they were modified by the presence of serious potential adverse treatment effects.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2003

Intentional and unintentional weight loss increase bone loss and hip fracture risk in older women.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that unintentional weight loss increases the rate of bone loss and risk of hip fracture more than intentional weight loss. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Four communities within the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Six thousand seven hundred eighty-five elderly white women with measurement of weight change and assessment of intention to lose weight. MEASUREMENTS: Weight change between baseline and fourth examinations (average 5.7 years between examinations) and assessment of intention to lose weight. Weight loss was defined as a decrease of 5% or more from baseline weight, stable weight was defined as less than a 5% change from baseline weight, and weight gain was defined as an increase of 5% or more from baseline weight. Rate of change in bone mineral density at the hip between fourth and sixth examinations (average 4.4 years between examinations) was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Incident hip fractures occurring after the fourth examination until June 1, 2001 (average follow-up 6.6 years) was confirmed using radiographic reports. RESULTS: The adjusted average rate of decline in total hipbone density steadily increased from -0.52% per year in women with weight gain to -0.68% per year in women with stable weight to -0.92% per year in women with weight loss (P-value for trend <.001). Higher rates of hip-bone loss were observed in women with weight loss irrespective of body mass index (BMI) or intention to lose weight. During follow-up of an average 6.6 years after the fourth examination, 400 (6%) of the cohort suffered a first hip fracture. Women with weight loss had 1.8 times the risk (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.43-2.24) of subsequent hip fracture as those with stable or increasing weight. The association between weight loss and increased risk of hip fracture was consistent across categories of BMI and intention to lose weight. Even voluntary weight loss in overweight women with a BMI of 25.9 kg/m2 (median) or greater increased the risk of hip fracture (multivariate hazard ratio=2.48, 95% CI=1.33-4.62). CONCLUSION: Older women who experience weight loss in later years have increased rates of hip-bone loss and a two-fold greater risk of subsequent hip fracture, irrespective of current weight or intention to lose weight. These findings indicate that even voluntary weight loss in overweight elderly women increases hip fracture risk.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

The relationship between maternal smoking and breastfeeding duration after adjustment for maternal infant feeding intention.

AIM: To investigate whether maternal smoking remains associated with decreased breastfeeding duration after adjustment for the mother's infant feeding intention. METHOD: Pregnant women resident within Avon, UK, expected to give birth between 1 April 1991 and 31 December 1992 were recruited in a longitudinal cohort study. Main outcome measures included maternal infant feeding intention at 32 wk of pregnancy: intention for the first week, intention for the rest of the first month and intention in months 2 to 4. Maternal smoking was defined as any smoking reported at any time during pregnancy. Data on initiation and duration of breastfeeding were based on the questionnaire at 6 mo postpartum, supplemented by data from the 15-mo questionnaire if necessary. RESULTS: Women who smoked during pregnancy had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.7) of not breastfeeding at 6 mo compared to non-smokers (adjusting for maternal age, education and intention). Survival analysis of duration of breastfeeding in the first 6 mo postpartum found that women who intended to breastfeed for less than 1 mo were 78% more likely to stop at any given time than women planning to breastfeed for at least 4 mo, while smokers were 17% more likely to stop breastfeeding than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Although women who smoke are less likely to breastfeed their infants than are non-smoking women, it appears that this is largely due to lower motivation to breastfeed rather than a physiological effect of smoking on their milk supply.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMed2006

A conceptual model of women's condom use intentions: Integrating intrapersonal and relationship factors.

We developed and tested a multifaceted model of condom use intentions with cross-sectional data from 435 heterosexual women at risk for HIV/STIs. In addition to traditional intrapersonal variables drawn from established models of HIV prevention (e.g. attitudes, norms, self-efficacy), the present study examined the role of relationship factors and dynamics (i.e. relationship commitment, duration, condom use and pregnancy prevention decision-making) in shaping condom use intentions. In some cases, relationship variables were directly associated with condom use intentions. In other cases their effects on condom use intentions were mediated by intrapersonal constructs. The final model accounted for 66% of the variance in condom use intentions and confirmed the importance of integrating intrapersonal variables and relationship characteristics and dynamics in understanding women's intentions to use condoms. These results offer important insights for the design of interventions directed at promoting condom use among young women at risk for HIV/STIs and underscore the need to design prevention programs that address relationship characteristics and dynamics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The neural consequences of conflict between intention and the senses.

Normal sensorimotor states involve integration of intention, action and sensory feedback. An example is the congruence between motor intention and sensory experience (both proprioceptive and visual) when we move a limb through space. Such goal-directed action necessitates a mechanism that monitors sensorimotor inputs to ensure that motor outputs are congruent with current intentions. Monitoring in this sense is usually implicit and automatic but becomes conscious whenever there is a mismatch between expected and realized sensorimotor states. To investigate how the latter type of monitoring is achieved we conducted three fully factorial functional neuroimaging experiments using PET measures of relative regional cerebral blood flow with healthy volunteers. In the first experiment subjects were asked to perform Luria's bimanual co-ordination task which involves either in-phase (conditions 1 and 3) or out-of-phase (conditions 2 and 4) bimanual movements (factor one), while looking towards their left hand. In half of the conditions (conditions 3 and 4) a mirror was used that altered visual feedback (factor two) by replacing their left hand with the mirror image of their right hand. Hence (in the critical condition 4) subjects saw in-phase movements despite performing out-of-phase movements. This mismatch between intention, proprioception and visual feedback engendered cognitive conflict. The main effect of out-of-phase movements was associated with increased neural activity in posterior parietal cortex (PPC) bilaterally [Brodmann area (BA) 40, extending into BA 7] and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) bilaterally (BA 9/46). The main effect of the mirror showed increased neural activity in right DLPFC (BA 9/ 46) and right superior PPC (BA 7) only. Analysis of the critical interaction revealed that the mismatch condition led to a specific activation in the right DLPFC alone (BA 9/46). Study 2, using an identical experimental set-up but manipulating visual feedback from the right hand (instead of the left), subsequently demonstrated that this right DLPFC activation was independent of the hand attended. Finally, study 3 removed the motor intentional component by moving the subjects' hand passively, thus engendering a mismatch between proprioception and vision only. Activation in the right lateral prefrontal cortex was now more ventral than in studies 1 or 2 (BA 44/45). A direct comparison of studies 1 and 3 (which both manipulated visual feedback from the left hand) confirmed that a ventral right lateral prefrontal region is primarily activated by discrepancies between signals from sensory systems, while a more dorsal area in right lateral prefrontal cortex is activated when actions must be maintained in the face of a conflict between intention and sensory outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Smoking status moderates the contribution of social-cognitive and environmental determinants to adolescents' smoking intentions.

In this study, it was tested whether attitudes, self-efficacy, social influences and the perception of the school and home environments had different associations with intentions for adolescent non-smokers, occasional smokers and daily smokers. A regression model allowing for separate slopes of social-cognitive and environment variables accounted for 72% of the variation in intentions. For non-smokers, ease of refusing to smoke (beta = -0.06) and social influences favouring smoking (beta = 0.05) were linked to intentions. Occasional and daily smokers' intentions were associated with health consequences (beta = -0.05 and beta = -0.06, respectively) and ease of smoking/buying cigarettes (beta = 0.05 and beta = 0.24, respectively). Social influences favouring smoking (beta = 0.10) were also associated with intentions in daily smokers. In an extended model for current smokers (adjusted R(2) = 0.45), context-cued nicotine cravings (beta = 0.27) were linked to daily smokers', but not occasional smokers' intentions. The results suggest that motivating adolescents to abstain from or to quit smoking implies working on different combinations of determinants in non-smokers, occasional smokers and daily smokers. Interventions for daily smokers should supplement motivational techniques with stratagems that allow smokers to reduce the number of cravings they experience in specific contexts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Using attitudinal indicators to explain the public's intention to have recourse to gamete donation and surrogacy.

BACKGROUND: Although the donation and receipt of gametes has become an integral part of infertility management, previous research in the field of social attitudes and intention to use medical technologies is limited. This study aimed to investigate attitudinal indicators and their potential relationship with the public's intention to have recourse to gamete donation and surrogacy. METHODS: A total of 365 individuals of reproductive age (49.3% men and 50.7% women) completed a questionnaire referring to their intention to receive or donate sperm/oocytes and their acceptance of becoming a commissioning couple or surrogate mother, and also to explore their attitudes towards gamete donation and surrogacy. Two attitudinal indicators emerged from the principal component analysis identifying (i). recipients' and donors' choice for anonymity, donors' renunciation of parental obligations and refusal of children's rights to know their biological parents and (ii). favourable attitudes towards legislative and financial measures to be adopted by the Government for the promotion of reproductive technologies. RESULTS: It was found that the indicator of 'Donors Anonymity and Refusal of Children's Rights' (DARCR) and the 'Legislative and Financial Support' (LFS) scale are positively associated with intention to have recourse to Gamete Donation and Surrogacy (GDS) (regression coefficients 0.31 and 1.08 respectively). Moreover, among the other variables used in the analysis only the 'church attendance' variable is negatively related with reported rates of intention to have recourse to GDS (P = 0.029), suggesting that the more religious respondents are less willing to use GDS. CONCLUSION: Social, legislative and financial implications provide a convenient rationale for adopting a favourable intention towards reproductive technologies. The findings of the present research should be given close consideration by policy makers and health education campaigns.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Efficacy of liver wound healing by secondary intent.

Nonoperative treatment of liver injury raises questions about liver wound healing (LWH) when the edges are not approximated by primary intent. The efficacy of LWH was studied in 18 dogs and 18 pigs with a total of 108 standard 6-cm injuries. The 36 injuries in six dogs and six pigs were compressed for hemostasis and then allowed to heal by second intent. LWH in these animals was compared to 36 liver wounds in six dogs and six pigs following primary closure (hepatorrhaphy) and 36 liver wounds after omental buttress plus hepatorrhaphy in six dogs and six pigs. Average wound breaking strength (WBS) of liver wounds was studied at 3 weeks (54 wounds) and 6 weeks (54 wounds) with a Chatillon tensiometer and microscopic analysis. The WBS of liver wounds was also compared to normal uninjured liver WBS. The porcine WBS at 3 weeks after healing by second intent (0.31 kg/cm2) was similar to the WBS at 3 weeks after healing by hepatorrhaphy (0.30 kg/cm2) and omental buttress (0.25 kg/cm2). Porcine WBS at 6 weeks after healing by second intent was significantly greater than WBS at 6 weeks after hepatorrhaphy or omental buttress. The canine WBS at 3 weeks after healing by second intent exceeded WBS at 3 weeks after hepatorrhaphy or omental buttress. Canine WBS at 6 weeks after healing by second intent exceeded WBS at 6 weeks after omental buttress and was similar to WBS at 6 weeks after hepatorrhaphy. WBS in all groups paralleled the extent of fibrosis seen on microscopic analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Breast self-examination: longitudinal predictors of intention and subsequent behaviour.

This study analysed in a longitudinal design the relationship between past breast self-examination (BSE) behaviour, determinants, intention and future BSE behaviour in a population of adult Dutch women. Past behaviour and psychosocial determinants were assessed at T1, followed 6 weeks later (T2) with the assessment of the intention to perform BSE monthly. Half a year after the first measurement the current BSE behaviour was assessed by means of a telephone survey (T3) (total end response 78%, n=364). The questionnaires included BSE behaviour, intention, attitude (pros and cons of BSE, anticipated regret, moral obligation), social influence (support, modelling) and self-efficacy. Other background variables assessed were past BSE behaviour, and demographics. Although 81% of the women stated that they performed BSE, only 41% of the women performed BSE correctly. Women who performed BSE correctly differed from women who did not on all psychosocial determinants assessed a half year earlier, with the exception of anticipated regret. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the psychosocial determinants explained 51% of the variance in intention to perform BSE, assessed 6 weeks later; past behaviour accounted for 2% of extra explained variance. Logistic regression analyses showed that past behaviour, the psychosocial determinants and intention were significant predictors of correct BSE behaviour a half year later (Nagelkerke's total explained variance was 47%). It was concluded that misperceptions of correct BSE behaviour was highly prevalent. Both the psychosocial determinants as well as past behaviour were important predictors of intention to perform BSE and subsequent BSE behaviour.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The role of smoking intentions in predicting future smoking among youth: findings from Monitoring the Future data.

AIMS: To demonstrate that intentions predict long-term future levels of smoking, irrespective of level of past smoking experience. A growing body of research suggests that intentions about future smoking might play an important role in addition to the influence of past smoking experience on the likelihood of smoking in future. DESIGN: Using logistic regression analyses, we assessed the relationship between baseline smoking experience and a firm intention 'not to be smoking cigarettes 5 years from now' with four outcome measures of smoking at follow-up: 30-day smoking at a 3/4- and 5/6-year follow-up and current established smoking (self-described regular smokers or former smokers who had smoked in the past 30 days) at a 3/4- and 5/6-year follow-up. PARTICIPANTS: US nationally representative samples of 12th graders who responded to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey from the years 1976 to 1993, inclusive. For these panels, we linked stage of smoking and intentions at 12th grade to follow-up measures of smoking collected at 3/4 years after baseline and 5/6 years after baseline. FINDINGS: Analysis of 3/4-year follow-up data (weighted n = 4544) and 5/6-year follow-up data (weighted n = 3885) for both definitions of smoking outcome indicated that there was a dose-response relationship between levels of baseline smoking experience and the likelihood of future smoking. In addition, independent of baseline smoking experience, there was a statistically significant protective effect for a firm intention not to smoke in five year's time on future smoking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that evaluative studies of tobacco control policies and programs might usefully employ smoking uptake categories that incorporate smoking intentions as early indicators of outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Comparative study of limited intentional normovolaemic haemodilution in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis.

Intentional normovolaemic haemodilution is a blood saving technique which can be performed when major blood loss is expected. Severe coronary artery disease and particularly left main stenosis are considered a contraindication for intentional normovolaemic haemodilution. The effects and complications of limited intentional normovolaemic haemodilution in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were evaluated. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: group A (n = 15) underwent limited intentional normovolaemic haemodilution to a haematocrit of 34%; group B (n = 15), no intentional normovolaemic haemodilution was performed. In both groups succinyl-linked gelatin was used to maintain normovolaemia. Haemodynamic parameters were kept as constant as possible. In group A, a mean (SD) volume of 785 (250) ml of blood was withdrawn [range 500-1200 ml]. ST segment changes occurred on the ECG in three patients in each group. There were no statistically significant differences for frequency, maximum deflection and duration of ST-segment changes. Limited intentional normovolaemic haemodilution can be performed safely in patients with left main coronary artery stenosis. In this study it was not associated with increased frequency, severity or duration of ST-segment changes, or with arrhythmias or haemodynamic instability.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Beliefs of chronically ill Japanese patients that lead to intentional non-adherence to medication.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors, associated with personal beliefs, involved in intentional non-adherence to prescribed medication of Japanese patients with chronic diseases. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Japanese subjects with chronic, primarily liver, gastrointestinal, or nervous system diseases who had been prescribed oral medicines for regular use, was performed. The subjects were admitted to a university hospital and were interviewed face-to-face on admission. Intentional non-adherence was defined as experience of deliberate adjustment of self-managed prescription medicines during the few months prior to hospital admission. Patients' beliefs about taking medicines were assessed from the perspective of what the patient valued in order to take medicines without anxiety; whether the patient valued information about the medication such as its function and side-effects and/or mutual reliance on doctors. Using logistic multivariate regression analyses, factors associated with intentional non-adherence were identified. RESULTS: Among 154 subjects, 51 showed intentional non-adherence. Intentional non-adherence was associated with the following three factors: (a) the patients' beliefs with respect to taking medicines without anxiety, especially putting no value on mutual reliance on the patient-doctor relationship (P < 0.001) and putting great value on knowing the drug's side-effects (P < 0.001), (b) poor comprehension of general aspects of medication (P for trend < 0.001), and (c) being in the prime of life (40-59 years) (P = 0.011). Comprehension of the function of each medicine, experience of side-effects, anxiety about taking medicines, and the number of types of medicines taken, were not associated with non-adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Beliefs on which individual Japanese patients with chronic diseases attach value in order to take medicines without anxiety were potential factors for intentional non-adherence. This emphasizes the necessity of a patient-oriented approach to take account of patients' personal beliefs about medicines to increase adherence rate in Japan.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2006

The compatibility of future doctors' career intentions with changing health care demands.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands the medical education system is in the process of being transformed to establish a more demand-oriented health care system. This transformation may entail the occupational restructuring of the medical profession. Meanwhile, on the supply side, the career intentions of future doctors are also changing. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to categorise medical students' prevailing career intentions and to examine to what extent newly proposed medical occupations that may be part of the transformation process correspond with these career intentions. METHODS: We carried out expert interviews and a feedback round to gain input for a survey among students. From the demand perspective, 11 experts proposed non-traditional medical occupations and evaluated these on the basis of job characteristics relevant to a doctor's career choice. Subsequently, students from 5 universities filled out a questionnaire to rate these job characteristics by their importance and the proposed occupations' attractiveness. Results Four different clusters of career intentions were categorised as patient-oriented expert, career-oriented specialist, lifestyle-oriented generalist, and balance-seeking realist. These clusters differ in terms of the ways in which students feel attracted to the proposed occupations. The career-oriented specialists feel least attracted and the lifestyle-oriented generalists most attracted to the occupations. DISCUSSION: The experts' call for shorter postgraduate programmes to educate patient-oriented doctors partly matches students' career intentions. Most students share the intention of obtaining a direct care position that provides ample task variation, which may explain the appeal of the occupations 'emergency doctor' and 'basic specialist'. The limited interest in specific patient groups suggests a need for more exposure to the occupations linked to these groups.

Career Choice↗

PubMed2005

Factors associated with rural doctors' intention to continue a rural career: a survey of 3072 doctors in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To show the relationship between the personal and educational backgrounds of rural doctors and their intention to continue a rural career. DESIGN: Nationwide postal survey. SETTING: Public clinics or hospitals in municipalities that are classified as 'rural' by the national government. SUBJECTS: A total of 4896 doctors working for 828 public clinics and hospitals. MEASUREMENTS: A questionnaire was mailed. The questionnaire inquired about the subject's age, sex, hometown, exposure to rural practice in undergraduate education, postgraduate training, continuing medical education, current position and affiliation status with a medical school, as well as his or her intention to continue a rural career. RESULTS: Response rate was 64%; 26% answered that they intended to continue a rural career. Postgraduate training in general internal medicine, general surgery, anaesthesiology, paediatrics and gastroenterology were positively related with the intention to continue a rural career (odds ratio = 2.045, 1.59, 1.30, 1.48, 1.38). Rural background, undergraduate exposure to rural practice, multispecialty-rotation in postgraduate training and current administrative position had positive correlations with the intention to continue in logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 1.80, 2.47, 1.54, 2.17). Affiliation with a medical school department was negatively related with the intention to continue (odds ratio = 0.45). CONCLUSION: In addition to the rural background of physicians, some undergraduate and postgraduate factors were independently associated with the intention to continue a rural career.

Adult↗