Using health belief model on preventive behaviors related to road traffic injuries among primary school students

One of the suitable and beneficial methods in promoting behaviors of road traffic injury prevention could be the application of educational programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of health belief model on preventive behaviors related to road traffic injuries among primary school students. 100 participants was randomly selected among fourth- and fifth-grade primary school students. The participants were divided into the control and intervention groups. The intervention group participated in educational program, while the control group did not receive any education. Data were collected before and two months after the intervention using a check list for recording the observation of students behavior when crossing a simulated street at school, and also a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of items on demographic information, knowledge, structures of Health belief model, and performance of students in relation to road traffic injury prevention. The results of this study showed that there was no significant difference between two groups in demographic characteristics, except for father s employment and education level. The knowledge of students increased after the intervention. Also, the scores on self-reported and observed performances between two groups had a significant difference after the intervention. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that planning an educational intervention based on health belief model could promote knowledge and performance of students in relation to road traffic injury prevention.