Assessing the Effects of a Health Belief Model-Based Educational Program on Knowledge Attitudes and Practice (KAP) among Patients with <i>Pemphigus vulgaris</i>

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an educational program based on Health Belief Model on knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) in patients with Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) referred to Razi Hospital in Iran. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 88 patients in 2013-2014. Subjects were divided into two intervention and control groups using block randomization. In addition to their usual care for both groups, the intervention group sat through a six-month self-care educational program in a specialized outpatient clinic. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather information about demographic characteristics, PV related variables, and KAP-related questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software. p value of less than 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results: mean scores of KAP increased significantly after intervention compared to control groups when adjusted for baseline differences of these scores and house ownership and employment status differences in two groups. Conclusion: study results show the effectiveness of an HBM based educational program on KAP in PV patients that can lead to adoption of self care behaviors and help them gain self efficacy in controlling their disease and assisting their treatment process, counting as a tertiary preventive measure.