The Effect of Educational Intervention based on the Health Belief Model on Diabetes Screening Behavior in over ۳۰ Years Old men in Shahr-e-Babak

Background: Diabetes is one of the major health problems in the world and half of the affected patients are unaware of it. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the Health Belief Model on the behavior of male subjects attending diabetes screening.   Methods: This interventional study was performed on ۱۸۰ men over ۳۰ years of age. The intervention group (۹۰ ones) underwent educational intervention conducted over four ۶۰-minute sessions. Data were collected using a questionnaire (including ۵۱ questions) filled out through direct interview before the intervention and two months after that. Fisher&#۳۹;s exact test, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for data analysis.   Results: After the intervention, knowledge scores increased in both intervention and control groups. This was due to the implementation of routine training at the centers. But, significant increase in the attitudes and practice was observed only in the intervention group. Also, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action, after the intervention, showed significant increase in the intervention group compared with the control group (P <۰.۰۰۱).   Conclusion: Health Belief Model was effective in education of people over ۳۰ years old for participating in diabetes screening programs. Therefore, it is recommended to use this model alongside traditional methods.

Keywords:

Diabetes , Health Belief Model , Screening , Health Education