Health Belief Model-based education on preventive behaviors of gestational urinary tract infections: a...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) during pregnancy can cause serious maternal and foetal complications if not properly managed. However, many pregnant women have limited knowledge and inadequate preventive behaviours. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Health Belief Model-based educational intervention on UTI preventive behaviours among pregnant women in Khormoj, Bushehr province, Iran.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2024-2025 among 93 pregnant women with confirmed UTI in Khormoj, Iran. Participants were selected through cluster sampling and assigned to intervention (n = 45) and control (n = 48) groups. Data were collected using demographic characteristics, a 30-item knowledge questionnaire, a validated HBM-based questionnaire, and a 26-item preventive behaviour scale. The intervention group received five 30-minute HBM-based educational sessions, and outcomes were assessed before and three months after the intervention. Data were analysed using SPSS-27 with t-tests, chi-square, and Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05).

After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in all Health Belief Model constructs-including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self‑efficacy-in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Preventive behaviours related to urinary tract infections also significantly increased among pregnant women in the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.001).

The HBM‑based educational intervention effectively improved preventive behaviours related to urinary tract infections among pregnant women. Considering that barriers to UTI prevention may originate from individual factors and limited facilities, further large‑scale studies are recommended to explore women's beliefs and barriers regarding UTIs.