Objective(s): The present study was a quasi‑experimental study. The study population consisted of 80 pregnant women under the comprehensive health service centers of Ahvaz city, they were selected using cluster sampling and randomly divided into two groups: experimental (N = 40) and control (N = 40). Data collection was done using a researcher -made questionnaire based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model(HBM) and in person and by phone in two stages, before and two months after the intervention. The data was analyzed by SPSS software version 22 and using, chi -square, independent t -test and paired t -test.
Methods: The present study was an experimental study. The study population consisted of 80 pregnant women under the comprehensive health service centers of Ahvaz city, they were selected using cluster sampling and randomly divided into two groups: experimental (N = 40) and control (N = 40). Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model(HBM) and in person and by phone in two stages, before and two months after the intervention. The data was analyzed by SPSS software version 22 and using, chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: Before the intervention, awareness, behavior and structures of the HBM were the same in the test and control groups (P> 0.05); However, after the educational intervention, the mean score of perceived sensitivity (from 21.53 ± 2.19 to 23.92 ± 1.23), perceived severity (from 20.16 ± 3.25 to 22.97 ± 1.88), perceived benefits (from 22.03 ± 2.9 to 23.89 ± 1.60), self-efficacy (from 23.76 ± 3.49 to 27.11 ± 2.19), behavior (from 62.37 ± 6.02 to 69.24 ± 4.45), and awareness (from 9.29 ± 1.46 to 10.92 ± 35) increased in the experimental group, such that a significant difference was created compared to before the intervention in the experimental group and after the intervention in the control group. Meanwhile, a statistically significant decrease in the perceived barriers construct (from 13.18 ± 3.73 to 9.05 ± 2.42) was observed in the test group compared to before training.
Conclusion: The educational based on the Health Belief Model promoted model structures and self-care behavior in preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in pregnant women in Ahvaz; Therefore, it is suggested that the health belief model be used in addition to traditional education methods.