Investigating the Effects of Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model in Adopting Healthy Behaviors by Type 2 Diabetic Patients in 2021

The essential strategies to avoid diabetes complications are lifelong health education and self-care. This study determines the impacts of an educational intervention based on a health belief model.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes using convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n=55) and control groups (n=55). A standard questionnaire was used to collect the data. The healthy behaviors were measured again after 3 and 6 months, and the data analysis was performed using the SPSS software, version 20.

The mean value of perceived susceptibility boosted in the intervention group from 18.94 before the training to 22.90 and 22.3 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score perceived severity increased in the intervention group to 31.30 and 31.42 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean score of perceived benefits increased in the intervention group from 10.06 before the training to 11.61 and 13.32 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score of perceived barriers decreased in the intervention group from 19.50 before the training to 13.35 and 12.21 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean score of perceived self-efficacy boosted in the intervention group from 24.16 before the training to 29.44 and 29.48 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively. The mean value of cues to action boosted in the intervention group from 20.15 before the training to 22.2 and 23.2 after 3 and 6 months of the intervention, respectively.

The results demonstrated the importance of designing educational programs based on the health belief model constructs over 3 and 6 months in adopting healthy behaviors by subjects with type 2 diabetes.