Abstract

Deaths caused by tobacco use are alone higher than deaths resulting from abuse of the rest drugs, AIDS, suicide, murder and traffic accidents. One of the models can be used on an individual level to change behavior and in fact one of the most popular theories and patterns of health education and health promotion is the health belief model. According to the history of this model and its usability in issues, it was decided that this study be done aimed to assess the effect of education based on the health belief model in reducing smoking in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences male smoking students in the dormitories. This semi-experimental study was conducted on 55 male smoking students from Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic questions and questions based on the health belief model structures. Its validity and reliability was determined by the content validity and of the re-test and on the basis of it the pre-test was performed. Educational intervention was done through a speech along with the pamphlet. A month after the intervention, the post-test was performed using the same questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 18 by the t-test and ANOVA. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered. The results indicated that 56.4 of the samples studied have a history of smoking at ages 16-25. The average score for the components of the health belief model, including the perceived intensity (P<0.0001), perceived benefits (P= 0.02), the perceived barriers (P< 0.0001) and guide to action ((P<0.043) after the educational intervention significantly increased than before, but the average score of the perceived sensitivity did not show significant differences (P= 0.37). The results of this study suggest the impact of educational intervention based on health belief model structures male smoking students in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.