The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies
Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is a major public health and veterinary challenge in Mediterranean countries. Preventing infection is the most critical measure, and educational interventions can be utilized to modify preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Therefore, this study...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23550-1 |
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| author | Afsaneh Ghasemi Fatemeh Mohammadkhah Hasan Bahja Amirhossein Kamyab Ali Khani Jeihooni |
| author_facet | Afsaneh Ghasemi Fatemeh Mohammadkhah Hasan Bahja Amirhossein Kamyab Ali Khani Jeihooni |
| author_sort | Afsaneh Ghasemi |
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| description | Abstract Background Leishmaniasis is a major public health and veterinary challenge in Mediterranean countries. Preventing infection is the most critical measure, and educational interventions can be utilized to modify preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on preventive behaviors against CL in employees of Shiraz Special Economic Zone subsidiary companies. Methods This experimental study was conducted on 280 employees of Shiraz Special Economic Zone subsidiary companies, Iran, during 2023–2024 (140 participants in the control group and 140 in the intervention group). Data were collected using a questionnaire that included demographic information, awareness assessment, constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM), and preventive behaviors against CL. The questionnaire was completed by both groups before and three months after the intervention. The intervention group attended eight educational sessions, held weekly, lasting 50–60 min each. Results The mean age of the intervention group was 40.38 ± 6.78 years, and the control group was 38.92 ± 7.16 years. Results showed a significant change in the mean scores of all Health Belief Model constructs in the intervention group after the educational sessions (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant changes were observed in the mean scores of perceived susceptibility (P < 0.001), perceived barriers (P < 0.001), self-efficacy (P < 0.001), and cues to action (P < 0.001) between the intervention and control groups after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion The results demonstrated that applying the Health Belief Model was beneficial and effective in enhancing preventive behaviors against CL. This approach can be practical in promoting the health of individuals at risk. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f5f17bd89664449db4b4255b05cf10ad |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-f5f17bd89664449db4b4255b05cf10ad2025-08-20T04:01:36ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-07-012511910.1186/s12889-025-23550-1The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companiesAfsaneh Ghasemi0Fatemeh Mohammadkhah1Hasan Bahja2Amirhossein Kamyab3Ali Khani Jeihooni4Department of Public Health, School of Health, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Community Health, Child Nursing and Aging, Ramsar School of Nursing, Babol University of Medical SciencesShiraz University of Medical ScienceDepartment of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical SciencesNutrition Research Center, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Leishmaniasis is a major public health and veterinary challenge in Mediterranean countries. Preventing infection is the most critical measure, and educational interventions can be utilized to modify preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on preventive behaviors against CL in employees of Shiraz Special Economic Zone subsidiary companies. Methods This experimental study was conducted on 280 employees of Shiraz Special Economic Zone subsidiary companies, Iran, during 2023–2024 (140 participants in the control group and 140 in the intervention group). Data were collected using a questionnaire that included demographic information, awareness assessment, constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM), and preventive behaviors against CL. The questionnaire was completed by both groups before and three months after the intervention. The intervention group attended eight educational sessions, held weekly, lasting 50–60 min each. Results The mean age of the intervention group was 40.38 ± 6.78 years, and the control group was 38.92 ± 7.16 years. Results showed a significant change in the mean scores of all Health Belief Model constructs in the intervention group after the educational sessions (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant changes were observed in the mean scores of perceived susceptibility (P < 0.001), perceived barriers (P < 0.001), self-efficacy (P < 0.001), and cues to action (P < 0.001) between the intervention and control groups after the intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion The results demonstrated that applying the Health Belief Model was beneficial and effective in enhancing preventive behaviors against CL. This approach can be practical in promoting the health of individuals at risk.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23550-1Health educationHealth belief modelBehaviorSelf-CareHealth-Related behaviorsCutaneous leishmaniasis |
| spellingShingle | Afsaneh Ghasemi Fatemeh Mohammadkhah Hasan Bahja Amirhossein Kamyab Ali Khani Jeihooni The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies BMC Public Health Health education Health belief model Behavior Self-Care Health-Related behaviors Cutaneous leishmaniasis |
| title | The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| title_full | The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| title_fullStr | The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| title_short | The effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of Shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| title_sort | effect of educational intervention on preventive behaviors against cutaneous leishmaniasis in employees of shiraz special economic zone subsidiary companies |
| topic | Health education Health belief model Behavior Self-Care Health-Related behaviors Cutaneous leishmaniasis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23550-1 |
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