Effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors of brucellosis among health volunteers in Rafsanjan city: Application of health belief model

BACKGROUND: Human brucellosis can be a source of problems that affect public health, social, and economic well-being of the world's population. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of Educational Intervention (EI) based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on preventive behaviors against brucellosis in Health Volunteers (HVs) in Rafsanjan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly, 104 HVs, in the intervention and control group, participated in a quasi-randomized, controlled experimental study. Variables were evaluated before and 1 month after intervention. In the intervention group, the educational program was conducted with lecture, group discussion, showing movies and related photos, booklets, and pamphlets. The program included five 45-min sessions that developed regarding the beliefs and constructs of HBM about brucellosis and its prevention methods. Data regarding HBM constructs and preventive behavior were collected using the questionnaire with 100 items by the self-report method. Finally, the data were entered into the SPSS software version 16.0, and statistical tests such as Chi-square, independent and paired t-test, Mann–Whitney, and Wilcoxon test were used for the data analysis at the significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, the mean score of the HBM constructs and preventive behaviors between the two groups did not differ significantly, but 1 month later, in the intervention group increased significantly compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We recommend to health authorities and health-care providers to use HBM in EIs to create susceptibility, increase perceived severity and benefits, promote self-efficacy, uses cue to action, as well as reduce behavioral barriers, and ultimately adopt health-promoting behaviors.