Background & Objective: High rates of cesarean delivery have worried health policy makers. One of the main reasons for cesarean section in Iran is cesarean election. Health Belief Model (HBM) is one of the most powerful models used in health education programs. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of education designed based on HBM on choosing delivery mode among pregnant women.

Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 128 nulliparous women were recruited from Shahrood health care centers and private gynecologists' offices. Samples were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Women in the experimental group participated in two 40-minutes educational classes which were designed based on HBM. Data were gathered both before and after the classes, and then were analyzed using SPSS.     

Results: The results indicated that there were no significant differences between two groups in demographic characteristics, infertility history, disease history, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefits and barriers. After the intervention, significant differences were found between perceived  susceptibility (P<0.001), perceived severity (P<0.001), perceived barriers (P=0.004), with practice (choosing the delivery mode) (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The results showed that using HBM in program designing was effective in the pregnant women's decision-making toward delivery mode.

Background & Aim: Early diagnosis of breast lumps through breast self-examination (BSE) is important for early detection of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors predict the BSE behavior using Health Belief Model constructs in women referred to health centers in Bandar abbas, Iran.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 240 eligible women were randomly selected from eight health centers. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics and Champion&aposs Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). The CHBMS measures the HBM concepts of susceptibility (3 items), seriousness (6 items), benefits (4 items), barriers (8 items) and self-efficacy (10 items). All items were ranged in a Likert scale ranging from ‘‘strongly disagree (score: one)&apos&apos to ‘‘strongly agree (score: five)&apos&apos.

Results: A total of 240 women took part in the study. The mean age of participants was 37.2 (SD=6.1). Of all, 32.5% had high school education and 95.8% were married. The results showed that 31.7% of the women had performed the BSE however, only 7.1% had performed it regularly. Perceived BSE benefits, perceived BSE barriers and perceived BSE self-efficacy of the participants who performed the BSE were significantly higher than those who did not (P<0.03). The results from regression analysis indicated that the perceived BSE self-efficacy and perceived BSE barriers predicted breast self-examination behavior (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that perceived BSE barriers and perceived BSE self-efficacy were influencing factors in predicting the BSE behavior. Therefore, in order to improve self-efficacy and decrease the barriers, BSE training programs are strongly recommended.

  Background & Aim: Oral health is one of the most important components of personal health. Understanding current status of oral health is necessary to provide future oral health interventions. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing tooth brushing behavior based on the health belief model (HBM) among 5- and 6-grader students.

  Methods & Materials : : In this cross-sectional study, 370 primary school students were selected using the stratified cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaires based on the HBM. The obtained data were analyzed in the SPSS-20.

  Results: The results showed that 95.7% of the students brushed their teeth once or more daily. Mean and standard deviation of the brushing frequency in one week was 8.66±3.54. There was a significant correlation between the perceived barriers (P=0.00, r=-0.14) and self-efficacy (P=0.04, r=0.10) with the brushing behavior.

  Conclusion : According to the results, educating students and decreasing different barriers seems to be necessary to improve brushing behavior.

  Background & Aim: Although breast self-examination (BSE) is no longer recommended for screening of breast cancer, its training and practicing is a gateway to health promotion and provides women with knowledge and attitudes that set the stage for clinical breast examination and mammography screening later in life. The aim of this study was to recognize predicting factors of the BSE based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the locus of control model among women aged 20-50 years old.

  Methods & Materials : Inthis cross-sectional study,400 women were selected through theconvenience sampling method from health centers. Data were collected using four questionnaires including the Champion’s Scale, health locus of control, and demographic and functional questionnaires. Data were analyzed in the SPSS using independent T-test, Chi-squared test, logistic and linear regression models.

  Results: The results showed that 10.9% of the participants reported performing BSE regularly. Perceived self-efficacy was the strongest positive predictor in the BSE performance (Exp (B) =1.863). Awareness had direct and indirect effects on the BSE. The locus of control did not predict the BSE (p=0.05).

  Conclusion : Improving self-efficacy, especially in young women, and increasing awareness about cancer among women is necessary to increase the rate of the BSE.

Background & Aim: Pap smear test is an effective screening method for early detection of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the health belief model on women’s belief and practice regarding Pap smear test.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 100 married women under coverage of Bushehr health centers participated in the study in 2014-2015. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of demographic information, the questions concerning knowledge and the HBM constructs regarding Pap smear. The training program was performed in two group sessions. Three months after the intervention, women’s practice about Pap smear test was evaluated in both groups. After data collection, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated measure analysis of variance, independent t-test and Chi square on SPSS software v.20.

Results: Before the study, both groups had not any significant differences in all variables and constructs. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (P<0.001), perceived seriousness (P=0.015) and perceived barriers (P<0.001) were significantly different between two groups. Three months after the intervention, 42 (85.7%) in the intervention group and 4 (8.2%) in the control group had performed Pap smear test (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Designing and implementing educational program based on health belief model can promote women’s awareness and reduce their perceived barriers and as well as enhance their practice regarding Pap smear test.

Background & Aim: Reducing water-pipe use is among the most effective ways to reduce chronic disease and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine effect of education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) by health volunteers on water-pipe use among women.

Methods & Materials: This Quasi-experimental study performed on 127 women who used water-pipe (63 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group) in Bushehr in 2014. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the HBM constructs about water-pipe use, knowledge about water-pipe complications, and behavior (frequency of water-pipe use in last week and nicotine dependence scale). Intervention group received two sessions of education based on HBM by health volunteers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-whitney test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and Friedman test on SPSS software version 18.

Results: Before education, both groups were similar in terms of demographic variables, the mean score of knowledge and all the HBM constructs (P>0.05). After education, the mean scores of HBM constructs and knowledge significantly increased and nicotine dependence decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). After 3 months, the frequency of water-pipe smoking significantly reduced in the intervention group (P=0.007). But in the same period, there was no significant difference in term of the frequency of water-pipe smoking in the control group.

Conclusion: The results show that education based on the behavior change patterns by health volunteers can be effective in changing beliefs and reducing water-pipe use among women.