Effect of education based on Health Belief Model on promoting preventive behavior of coetaneous leishmaniasis

Aims. Preventive actions such as training and improving preventive knowledge and skills is one of the most important strategies is cutaneous leishmaniasis control program for personal protection in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of health education based on health belief model (HBM) in promoting preventive behaviors of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. In this quasi-experimental study that was performed in 2008, 450 people from the statistical community which was the guidance and high school students of one of the areas of Isfahan province were selected by census method. Three educational sessions and a questionnaire were designed based on the health belief model. Demographic information questionnaire had questions related to knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived threat, perceived benefits and barriers, action guide and action performing which was completed before training and 2 months after training by interview. Data was analyzed using SPSS 15 software and paired T-test. Results. There was a significant correlation between sex and the knowledge score and whole HBM famale students\' got higher scores than males. Those students who infected before with coetaneous leishmaniasis were gotten higher scores in whole variable of HBM but the knowledge score was not different with those who weren’t infected. There were significant differences between all score of HBM components before and after educational intervention. Conclusion. Educational program based on HBM can promote preventive coetaneous leishmaniasis behavior among students.