Study of Preventive Behaviors of Hepatitis B Based on Health Belief Model among Addicts Affiliated to Hamedan

Hepatitis B is a major global health problem. Injecting drug users are at high risk of hepatitis B and the majority of cases with hepatitis B are among this group. The purpose of this survey was to study the preventive behaviors of hepatitis B based on Health Belief Model among addicts affiliated to Hamadan.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 135 male addicts selected as research units. The data collection tool was a questionnaire designed based on Health Belief Model and preventive behaviors of hepatitis B. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by content validity method and its reliability was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. The collected data was analyzed statically by Pearson’s correlation test, Spearman’s correlation test and t-test with SPSS version 22.
The mean age of subjects was 10.52 ± 38.65 years. The mean mark in each structure was as follows; perceived susceptibility: 4.95 ± 9.23 (maximum 24), perceived severity: 9.16 ± 20.24 (maximum 32), perceived benefits: 6.47 ± 11.40 (maximum 24), perceived barriers: 12.56 ± 21.87 (maximum 64), cue to action: 7.27 ± 10.05 (maximum 30), self efficacy: 11.58 ± 18.73 (maximum 40), behaviors: 2.92 ± 4.01 (maximum 16). There was no significant correlation between the variables and behavior (P > 0.001). There was no significant relationship between age, level of education, income, occupation, marital status and preventive behaviors of hepatitis B (P > 0.001).
Considering risky circumstances, educating drug users is important and necessary for the prevention of hepatitis B. Health education programs, therefore, are recommended to prevent hepatitis B in addicts.