Effect of educational intervention based on social cognitive theory on promoting preventive behaviors of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Ghanavat of Qom province. This study aimed to determine effect of educational intervention based on social cognitive theory on promoting preventive behaviors of CL disease.

This study was a semi-experimental intervention (quasi-experimental) that was performed on 292 patients referred to ghanavat health centers in Qom province during the years 2016-2017. Then, participants divided randomly in two groups with complete block randomization method. Six months after the training, post tests were completed by both interventional and control groups. The linear regression used to investigation the effect of several variables.

After the intervention, in treated group, the mean score of the structures of knowledge and situations perception, outcome expectations (p < 0.001), self-sufficiency (p < 0.003), self-control (p < 0.005) and performance (p < 0.05) of Social Cognitive Theory in term of promotion of preventive behaviors of CL, a significant relationship was observed. But, a significant relationship was not found between the structure outcome value and promotion of preventive behaviors of the disease (p < 0.103).

People were not well aware of ways to prevent disease. Therefore, in order to promote this structure, it is suggested that social cognitive theory can be used to reduce the barriers in the education program and promote the level of community awareness.