Investigating the Effect of Educational Intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the Intention to Inject the Third Dose of the COVID-۱۹ Vaccine in People Aged ۱۸ Years or Older

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on the intention to inject the third dose of the COVID-۱۹ vaccine in people aged ۱۸ or older.Materials and Method: In a quasi-experimental study without a control group in ۲۰۲۲, ۱۰۰ people aged ۱۸ years or older in Bushehr city, Iran, who had not received the third dose of COVID-۱۹ vaccine were selected using the SIB system and available sampling method. The educational intervention consisted of five group discussion sessions of ۴۵ to ۶۰ minutes based on TPB structures using group discussion, question and answer method along with the presentation of a targeted educational booklet. Before and two months after the educational intervention, the participants completed a questionnaire containing demographic information and the TPB constructs. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version ۱۶). Results: A total of ۱۰۰ people ۱۸ years or older with mean age of ۳۶+۱۱.۴۰۰ participated in this study. According to Pearson's test, a positive correlation was observed between all TPB constructs. According to multiple linear regression, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control predicted ۷۷.۴% of behavioral intention. Subjective norms was the strongest predictor for intention (β=۰.۳۳۵). The results of paired t-tests showed that the mean scores of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention of the participants increased after the educational intervention (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: The educational intervention based on TPB constructs had a positive and significant effect on the intention to inject the third round of the COVID-۱۹ vaccine. Subjective norms was the strongest predictor for behavioral intention.

Keywords:

Bushehr , COVID-۱۹ , educational intervention , Vaccine , Theory of Planned Behavior