Effect of Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model in Reducing Head Lice Infestation in Treatment-Resistant Individuals

Treatment for head lice infestation is sometimes lengthy or ineffective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) on the success rate of head lice treatment in resistant to treatment people.

In this semi-experimental study conducted in Qom in 2019, 140 mothers with children resistant to head lice treatment were selected by available sampling method and divided into two groups of intervention and control (70 people in each group) by block randomization. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts: demographic information and measuring the constructs of the health belief model. For the intervention group, three 75-minute training sessions were conducted during one month through lectures and group discussions. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using chi-square and paired t-tests.

Before the educational intervention, the difference between the mean scores of the two groups was significant only in the construct of knowledge (p<0.05). After the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups and the mean scores of the intervention group in the constructs of knowledge, perceived sensitivity, perceived intensity, perceived benefits and self-efficacy increased significantly after the intervention (p<0.05). Also, 100% of the subjects in the intervention group succeeded in complete treatment, but in the control group, only 18.6% had successful treatment (p=0.001).

Educational intervention based on health belief model has a positive effect on the success rate of head lice treatment in resistant patients.