The Effect of Education to Increase the Awareness and Preventive Behaviors of Pediculosis in Female School Students According to the Health Belief Model in Mashhad

Aim: Pediculosis is a common serious infection and one of the public health problems in different countries. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of education on the preventive behaviors of pediculosis based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in female students in Mashhad. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 60 seventh grade female students in Mashhad, in two groups. Cluster sampling was performed using the HBM in 2016. For gathering data, the questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and the HBM, which was implemented to both groups before, immediately after, and two months after the education. SPSS19 software and t-test, Freedman, MannWittny, Chi-square and Pierson’s correlation tests were used to analyze the data. Findings: Before the intervention, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of all the structures (p>0/05), but after the intervention, a significant difference was observed only in terms of knowledge, perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits and obstacles, efficacy and behavior (p<0/05). The correlation coefficient between the preventive behaviors of pediculosis and obstacles was found to be significant (p<0/001, r=0/499). Conclusion: Health education program based on HBM can prevent pediculosis and be effective in female students