The Effect of Education Based on Protection Motivation Theory on Promoting Preventive Behaviors Against Common Acute Respiratory Viral Infections Among Female Hairdressers

Introduction: The lack of preventive behaviors against common acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs) in crowded workplaces, such as hairdressing salons, can contribute to the spread of these infections. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effect of an educational intervention based on the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) on promoting preventive behaviors against common ARVIs among female hairdressers. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on ۸۰ female hairdressers in Urmia, Iran (۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۲). The hairdressers were divided into an intervention group (n=۴۰) and a control group (n=۴۰). The data collection tools included a demographic information form and a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the knowledge component and PMT constructs. The educational intervention for hairdressers in the intervention group was performed over one month through WhatsApp, consisting of three ۴۵-minute sessions and one ۶۰-minute session focused on the common cold, influenza, and COVID-۱۹. Data were analyzed using SPSS ۱۶. Results: Following the intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant increases in the mean scores of knowledge (۱۱.۹۷±۱.۶۲), perceived vulnerability (۳۱.۸۷±۲.۷۳), perceived severity (۳۲.۶۲±۲.۷۹), fear (۲۸.۱۵±۱.۹۲), response efficacy (۱۴.۴۰±۱.۰۸), perceived self-efficacy (۱۹.۴۵±۱.۵۸), protection motivation (۱۴.۸۵±۰.۴۲), and preventive behaviors (۸۰.۳۵±۷.۱۹) compared to the control group and baseline. However, there was a significant decrease in perceived rewards in the intervention group (۶.۲۰±۳.۲۰). Post-intervention, response costs in the intervention group (۷.۱۰±۳.۶۲) did not differ significantly from the control group (۸.۵۰±۴.۹۰). Conclusion: The educational intervention, developed based on the knowledge component and PMT constructs, could promote preventive behaviors against common ARVIs among female hairdressers.