Document Type : original article

Authors

1 Islamic Studies and Health Sciences Interdisciplinary Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

3 Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

4 Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

5 Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

6 Research instructor, Cognitive Science Research Group, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Alborz branch, Alborz, Iran; Ph.D. Student of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti

7 Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

8 Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Pediculosis is still recognized as a worldwide infestation and is a major public health concern. The aim of this study was to determine the cognitive determinants Predicting Pediculosis Preventive Behaviors (PPB) based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 193 female high school students in the west of Iran, during 2019. The participants were selected by random sampling method. They filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the Background variables, PPB questionnaire, and HBM determinants. Data were analyzed by SPSS-22 software using Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis.
Results: The mean age of the students was 12.72 years [SD: 0.60], ranging from 12 to 14 years.  The mean score of PPB was 7.72 [SD: 2.23], ranging from 0 to 10. HBM determinants accounted for 20% of the variation in PPB.  The best predictors of PPB were perceived susceptibility (Beta: 0.303, P<0.001), perceived barriers (Beta: -0.217, P=0.004) and perceived self-efficacy (Beta: 0.158, P=0.040), respectively.
Conclusion: It seems that the development and implementation of health promotion programs to increase susceptibility toward the risk of pediculosis, improve self-efficacy toward performing PPB, and reduce the barriers in adopting PPB among the students. These results may be useful in preventing pediculosis

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