Socio-Psychological Predictors of Students' Preventive Behaviors Against Pediculosis; the Health Belief Model Approach

Aims: Head lice infestation is a common and significant health issue among students and in school settings. It is particularly more prevalent in children aged 5-13 years. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of preventive behaviors against pediculosis based on the theoretical framework of the health belief model among students in the urban areas of Heris County. Instrument & Methods: This descriptive-analytical correlational study was conducted with 1,000 students in urban schools in Heris County, East Azerbaijan. Data were collected through a census of all fourth and fifth-grade students in elementary schools. The research instrument was a questionnaire designed based on the health belief model, which had been validated, and its reliability was confirmed in previous studies. After the students completed the questionnaires, the data were analyzed using SPSS 16 by ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Findings: Fourth-grade students demonstrated higher awareness (p=0.027) compared to fifth-grade students. Perceived susceptibility (p=0.001) and perceived barriers (p=0.004) were significantly (p=0.0001) higher in individuals with no history of pediculosis infestation compared to those with a history of pediculosis infestation. Except for the perceived severity construct, all components of the health belief model had a significant correlation with preventive behaviors against pediculosis. Furthermore, awareness (p=0.0001), self-efficacy (p=0.0001), perceived barriers (p=0.0001), gender (p=0.0001), and maternal education (p=0.024) were identified as key predictors of these behaviors, and these parameters collectively accounted for 21.5% of the variance in behavior changes (R2=0.215). Conclusion: Awareness, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers play a significant role in adopting preventive behaviors against pediculosis infestation.

Socio-Psychological Predictors of Students' Preventive Behaviors Against Pediculosis; the Health Belief Model Approach Keywords:

Pediculosis , Health Belief Model , Students , Head Lice