ABSTRACT
Objective[s]: To determine the effect of health education based on health belief model [HBM] for promoting preventive behavior of tooth decay among the boy students, who are in five-grade in the primary school in Dezfool in 2009-2010
Methods: In this experimental study, 150 students were randomly allocated in the experimental]n=75] and control groups]n=75]. After need assessment based on health belief model, suitable educational intervention was designed and implemented for the experimental group. The data were collected by the questionnaire. Two groups were followed-up one-month after completion of intervention. Finally, the collected data were analyzed by SPSS software [version 15]
Results: There were no significant differences in demographic factors and constructs of model between the two groups before intervention, self efficacy and preventive behavior of tooth decay [P<0.05] between the two groups after intervention. After intervention, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the other constructs of model [perceived benefits, perceived barriers and cues to action]
Conclusion: Our findings showed that educational intervention based on health belief model may be an effective method for promoting preventive behavior of tooth decay in students