Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model on the Adoption of Preventive Behaviors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Ranchers

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal viral bleeding disease. This study conducted in 2016 and its aim was to determine the effect of education on promoting preventive behaviors in ranchers against the disease based on the health belief model (HBM). In a quasi-experimental study, 183 subjects were selected and divided into intervention (n = 92) and control group (n = 91) using a multistage random sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including specific and demographic questions that its validity and reliability was confirmed. At first, the data were collected in both groups and analyzed. An educational program based on the HBM, including educational content, media, and method was designed and two educational sessions were accomplished for experimental group. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics with respect to the statistical significance level (P ≤ 0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of behavior (1.55 ± 2.2), perceived susceptibility (2.06 ± 3.69), severity (0.92 ± 1.96), perceived benefits (2.06 ± 5.26), self-efficacy (2.85 ± 4.69), and cues to action (0.57 ± 3.14) significantly were increased in the intervention group compared to the control group and a positive correlation was found among them and preventive behaviors (P < 0.05). Moreover, perceived barriers in the intervention group significantly were decreased and self-efficacy was the most important predictor for preventive behaviors (P < 0.05). HBM and particularly cues to action is an appropriate framework for educational interventions for promoting the preventive behaviors of Crimean-Congo fever among ranchers.