The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on Protection Motivation Theory on the Adoption of Preventive Behaviors against Head Lice Infestation among Female Students

Background: Head lice (pediculosis) is a common public‑health problem among school‑aged children, especially girls. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) on adoption of preventive behaviors against head lice among female elementary‑school students.Materials and Methods: In this quasi‑experimental study, ۱۵۱ female students were assigned to intervention (n = ۸۴) and control (n = ۶۷) groups. Study areas were randomly allocated to intervention or control arms; one elementary school per area was selected and fourth‑ to sixth‑grade students recruited using two‑stage cluster sampling. Data were collected with a researcher‑developed questionnaire measuring awareness, PMT constructs, and preventive behaviors. Analyses (SPSS v.۱۶) included descriptive statistics, independent and paired t tests, Pearson correlation, and ANCOVA adjusting for baseline values.Results: A total of ۱۵۱ female elementary‑school students participated (intervention: n = ۸۴; control: n = ۶۷). Baseline scores for awareness, PMT constructs, and preventive behaviors did not differ significantly between groups (p> ۰.۰۵). Post‑intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores across all variables compared with the control group (p ≤ ۰.۰۰۱). ANCOVA adjusting for baseline confirmed significant effects on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self‑efficacy, response efficacy, response costs, fear, protection motivation, and preventive behaviors (p < ۰.۰۵), while the effect on awareness was not significant. PMT constructs were positively correlated with preventive behaviors.Conclusion: A PMT‑based educational intervention effectively improved key cognitive and motivational determinants of behavior and significantly increased the adoption of preventive behaviors against head lice among female elementary‑school students, although no significant effect was observed on awareness.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health education ، Pediculosis ، Prevention ، Students ، Protection motivation theory