An investigation on the Effect of Health Belief Model-based Education on Preventive Behaviors of Diabetes Type ۲ in Male Adolescences

Aims: The prevalence of Diabetes type ۲ has been increased significantly during recent years. So, prevention is necessary from adolescence. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Health Belief Model-based education on preventive behaviors of Diabetes type ۲ in male adolescences. Materials & Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted on ۲۰۸ secondary school students of Hamadan city (۱۰۴ students in an experimental group and ۱۰۴ students in a control group) in ۲۰۱۸, who were selected using the stratified-proportional sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire including demographic, awareness, model constructions, and preventive behavior. Afterward, an educational intervention was implemented in the experimental group based on Health Belief Model in four ۴۵-۶۰ minute sessions. After one month, the data were recollected from the two groups and analyzed using Chi-square, t-test, and linear regression by SPSS ۱۶ software. Findings: Comparing the scores of awareness, Health Belief Model constructs, and student’s preventive practices revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at the beginning of the study (p>۰.۰۵). However, after the intervention, significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding awareness, the Health Belief Model constructs, and student’s preventive practices (p<۰.۰۵). Linear regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy was the most important independent predictor of type-۲ diabetes-preventative behavior (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Health Belief Model-based education is effective in promoting type-۲ diabetes prevention behaviors in students.

Keywords:

Health Belief Model , Diabetes Mellitus , Type ۲ , Prevention and control , Adolescent