RESUMO
In Iran, over 19% of the population are suffering from heart diseases. Understanding and modifying its risk factors can decrease its morbidity and mortality rate. Planning requires information about present knowledge and performance of the people. The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to preventive behaviors for heart diseases in the students of Islamic Azad university of Sabzevar based on Health Belief Model [HBM]. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 270 students of Islamic Azad University of Sabzevar.The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling. Data collection was performed through a questionnaire designed according to HBM and was completed by self-administeration. A panel of experts approved the validity of the questionnaire and its reliability was verified by means of cronbach alpha test [N=30,alpha=0.68%-0.86%].The data were then analyzed by SPSS versionlS.O software using descriptive and analytical statistics [t-test, ANOVA, Regression analysis and Pearson correlation]. According to the results, the mean score of preventive behaviors for heart diseases among students was 10.41 out of 16. The subjects mostly followed preventive behaviors for heart diseases [65%].of the subjects, 23.8% were overweight or obese most of whom were males over 24 years and married. Perceived barriers, guide for action and preventive behaviors of heart diseases were related to parent education. Among the extended health belief model variables, there was a significant correlation between the presence of guide for action and self efficacy on preventive behaviors for heart diseases .These variables explained 14.6% of variance of preventive behaviors of heart diseases. Mass media [TV and Radio] was the most important source of information. The mean of heart diseases preventive behaviors was moderate among students, however, a significant percentage of students were overweight. Based on the results, using mass media and increasing self efficacy in the field of training programs can improve the preventive behaviors for heart diseases