Abstract
BACKGROUND: Men's health behaviors influence health outcomes but remain understudied in high-risk occupational groups. This study examines determinants of health behaviors among public safety personnel using Andersen's Behavioral Model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 male public safety personnel in Kelantan, Malaysia. Participants were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using proforma and the validated Malay Health Behavior Inventory-Short Form (MHBI-SF). Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with poor health behaviors. RESULTS: Key risk factors for poor health behaviors included reliance on parental influence (AOR: 5.54; 95% CI: 1.74-17.64) and restricted healthcare access during leisure time (AOR: 4.70; 95% CI: 1.43-15.49). Protective factors included peer influence (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05-0.71) and transportation support (AOR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.06-0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing barriers to healthcare access and enhancing social support are critical to promoting healthy behaviors among men in high-risk occupations. Targeted interventions can reduce health disparities and improve outcomes.