Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Self-medication is a serious health problem. The aim of this study is determining the effect of education based on health belief model on improving the preventive behaviors of self-medication in women under the supervision of health institutions of zone 3 of Tehran.

Methods: This quasi-experimental case-control survey was carried out on 88 women. Sampling method was clustering and data collection tools was researcher-built questionnaire based on constructs of health belief model (self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity, benefits and perceived barriers) and checklist of performance in self-medication its validity and reliability were measured. Initially the questionnaire and checklist were completed for both the groups. The educational intervention was designed according to the results of the above mentioned stage, and implemented for experimental group in the form of 3 sessions for 90 minutes through lecture, questions and answers, group discussion film and slide methods. The data were analyzed in SPSS16 statistical software by descriptive and analytical statistical tests.

Results: Before educational intervention, there was no significant difference between the average of awareness, self-efficacy, susceptibility, severity, benefits and perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy and prevention of self-medication behavior in both experiment and control groups (p> 0.05) however after educational intervention between the two groups of experiment and control, there was significant difference in all the variables (p<0.001). Also, average performance showed significant relationship with the educational level in case group.(p= 0.03). Radio and television were the first and most important guidance in %65 of experimental women and %77.5 of control women.

Conclusions: Education based on health belief model improved the perceptions and behavior of women in prevention of self-medication.