International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210102020020921512151ENDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizRoad Traffic Injury Research Center, Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, TabrizDepartment of Environmental Health, Health and Environment Research Center, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz20200119<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Disposal and release of plastic bags in the environment can cause environmental, economic, and social problems. The aim of this study was to explore the determinants of the behavior of plastic bag use (BPBU) among residents using socioecological approach (SEA).</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">In this cross‑sectional study, multistage random sampling was employed to enroll 400 residents in Hadishahr County, North West of Iran. A valid and reliable instrument based on SEA variables was used. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Hierarchical multiple linear regressions were performed with SEA and BPBU as outcome variables. Predictors of outcome variables were classified into four different blocks. Demographic characteristics and SEA constructs explained 50% of the observed variance in BPBU. In the first block, age (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.03) and purchase frequency (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.902) were significant predictors of BPBU (</span><span class="fontstyle3">R</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">2 </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.34), and in the third block, access to alternatives in environment (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.01) was<br />significant predictor for BPBU (</span><span class="fontstyle3">R</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">2 </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.49). The majority of residents (47%) were taking home 6 to 10 plastic bags and more than 10 freezer bags after their shopping per week. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Health‑care providers may consider purchase frequency and SEA as a framework for developing educational, environmental, and social interventions aiming at reducing the consumption of plastic bags.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Environmental factor, personal factor, plastic bag, social support</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2151http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2151/717717947