@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2383-2150    Journal of Education and Community Health 2018;4(4):4-12

Background
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most common infectious diseases in the community.
Previous Studies
… [1-9]. Studies have shown that STD education can be effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections by promoting sexual health and reducing the incidence of STDs [10, 11]; but it should be noted that the effect of education depends on the proper use of theories of behavioral science [12]. One of the influential theories in health education is the health belief model which shows the relationship between beliefs and behavior and is more involved in preventing disease [13]. … [14-16].
Aim(s)
This study aimed to investigate the effect of STDs prevention training in couples based on the health belief model (HBM) in Fasa, Iran.
Research type
This research is a quasi-experimental study.
Research society, place and time
This study was conducted on 70 couples referring to the Fasa health centers in 2016.
Sampling method and number
According to the results of the Mirmohammadaliei et al. [17] study, a 95% confidence level, the power of 80% and acceptable difference of 1.5, sample size estimated 70 subjects (35 couples in the experimental group and 35 couples in the control group). Participants included the couples referring for marriage certificate according to the inclusion criteria, including the first marriage, no obligatory forced marriage, marriage up to one month after attending classes and living together. They were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups.
Used devices&materials
The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model, which was used in the Mirmohammadaliei et al. [17] study and its validity and reliability have been confirmed. After the pre-test, the control group participated in normal pre-marital counseling classes, which focused more on family planning and individual health. The intervention group, instead of these classes, in four 50-55-min sessions by the researchers, was provided with Health Belief Model using lectures, group discussion, questions and answers through educational photos. It is worth noting that information was provided as pamphlet, and 1 other session was devoted to answering couples' questions and problems in order to make the training more memorable and repeating the concepts. Three months after the intervention, the post test using the used questionnaire was performed for both groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software and chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables in two groups. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to compare the health belief model constructs in two groups.
Findings by Text
The mean age of the studied subjects in the experimental and control groups was 27.02±5.53 and 25.14±4.45, respectively, most of them were employed with above diploma degrees. Chi-square test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups (Table 1). Table 2 shows the mean scores of knowledge, sensitivity, severity, benefits and barriers, and self-efficacy in both experimental and control groups before and after intervention. According to the findings, there was no significant difference in the mean scores of knowledge and constructs of the health belief model between two groups before the intervention, but after the educational intervention, the difference in knowledge scores and all the constructs of the health belief model were significant between two groups (P<0.05). In the present study, the couples' performance in the experimental and control groups after intervention was 9.02±1.93 and 6.20±0.90, indicating a statistically significant difference between two groups (P<0.001).
Main comparison to the similar studies
… [18]. The results indicated that educational intervention had an effect on knowledge and function of the subjects in preventing STDs, which is consistent with the findings of previous studies [17, 19, 23]. … [24-30]. On the other hand, the results of the present study showed a significant increase in the sensitivity and severity of the couples in the experimental group compared with the control group in STDs after intervention, which is consistent with the results of studies by Mirmohammadaliei et al. [17], Jadgal et al. [31], Bastami et al. [32]. … [33-38].
Suggestions
The study suggests that educational programs in other places, such as the centers for the control and prevention of behavioral disorders and Schools, and for other groups such as students and teachers with other educational patterns, should be implemented in order to reduce the burden of STDs in the community.
Limitations
This study may not be applicable to other ethnic groups or adolescents.
Conclusions
The results of this study showed that designing and implementing educational programs based on the HBM can be effective in prevention of STDs and promotion of sexual health.
Acknowledgments
The staff of the Fasa health centers and all participants in the study are appreciated for their cooperation.
Conflict of interest
None declared.
Ethical Permissions
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Fasa University of Medical Sciences (Ethics Id: IR.FUMS.REC.1394.124).
Funding Sources
The present study was sponsored by the Vice-Chancellor of Research and Technology of Fasa University of Medical Sciences.

TABLES and CHARTS

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