The impacts of a health belief model-based educational program on adopting self-care behaviors in pemphigus vulgaris patients

INTRODUCTION: Since pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic disease and regarding its autoimmune nature, patients need to adopt self-care behaviors. This study aimed to assess the impacts of an educational program based on health belief model (HBM) on adopting self-care behaviors among patients with PV referred to Razi Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with PV were randomized in an educational intervention study in two groups in 2013–2014. The intervention group attended a 6 months self-care educational program in a specialized outpatient clinic, in addition to the regular care presented for both groups. To collect information about demographic characteristics, PV-related variables, and HBM constructs items, a self-designed questionnaire was used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20. A P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Increase in perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefits score were significantly higher in intervention group compared with controls when adjusting for the difference in baseline scores of these HBM constructs and house ownership and employment status distribution in two groups using ANCOVA (P < 0.001). Furthermore, after intervention, the decrease in perceived barriers’ scores was significantly more than controls (P < 0.001), However, the decrease in cues to action score was not found significant (P = 0.380). DISCUSSION: The results of this study show the effects of an HBM-based educational program as a tertiary preventive measure on adopting self-care behaviors in patients that can help them achieve self-efficacy in controlling their disease and enhancing their treatment process.