Effect of an Educational Intervention on AIDS Prevention Among the Female Heads of Household: Application of the Health Belief Model

Health education is the only effective way to fight against AIDS. The present study aimed to determine the effect of a health belief model (HBM)-based educational intervention on the prevention of AIDS among female heads of household. This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 70 female householders in Zahedan, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned into the two groups of control and intervention. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic information, HIV knowledge, and HBM components. The intervention group was subjected to two 90-minute training sessions that was based on the HBM. These sessions were conducted using lecture, group discussion, and question and answer. The two groups filled out the questionnaire before and one month after the intervention. Data analysis was performed in SPSS (version 21) using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent t-test, paired samples t-test, and UNIANOVA. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics. According to the findings, the mean score of knowledge in the intervention group was increased significantly post-intervention (8.65 ± 2.30) compared to pre-intervention (2.54 ± 1.80), but in the control group, the mean score of knowledge was not different pre- (2.42 ± 1.89) and post-intervention (2.97 ± 1.45). Also, the mean score of components of HBM, with the exception of perceived barriers (23 ± 5.26), was increased significantly in the intervention group post-intervention. Nonetheless, there was no significant difference in this regard in the control group (P > 0.05). As the findings indicated, HBM-based education had a positive impact on the adoption of HIV preventive behaviors. Consequently, it is recommended to use this model or similar models to remove the barriers to AIDS preventive behaviors and raise individuals' knowledge in this regard.