Effect of education based on Health Belief Model on self-medication in mothers referring to health centers of Arak

Side effects of drugs were increased with intractable consumption and this fact is more important in women during pregnancy and lactation period. The aim of this study has been determined the effect of education based on Health Belief Model on self-medication in mothers referring to health centers of Arak. In this clinical trial study, 300 mothers referring to health centers of Arak were participated. Data were collected with a questionnaire based on Health Belief Model and a performance checklist about drugs intractable consumption. Before educational intervention, questionnaires and checklists for both groups were completed and then intervention was done during 1 month in 4 sessions, 60 minutes. Data again were collected and then analyzed 3 month after intervention in both groups. Before educational intervention, the rate of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefit of self medication were in the mediate level and the mother's performance about drug intractable consumption were more than mediate. After educational intervention, between two groups had significant difference in all variables and mothers performance in self-medication was reduced (p<0.05). By increasing in mean score of Health Belief Model parts, including: knowledge, perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefit, performance in field of self-medication was reduced. Recommended, training based on this model carried out in other health centers for reducing drugs intractable consumption.