Evaluation of an HBM-Based Educational Intervention on HIV Preventive Behaviors Among Vulnerable Women: A...

HIV remains a major public health challenge worldwide, particularly among vulnerable women who are at higher risk of infection due to Various factors. Educational interventions based on behavioral theories can play an important role in promoting preventive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate impact of an HBM-based Educational Intervention on HIV preventive behaviors among vulnerable women.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 120 vulnerable women with high-risk behaviors referring to the behavioral counseling center in Urmia. Participants were allocated into two intervention and control groups (60 people each) through matched convenience sampling. The intervention group received an educational program designed according to the constructs of the Health Belief Model. Three months after the completion of the intervention, the post test questionnaire was administered to both groups. Data were collected before and after the intervention using a structured questionnaire assessing HBM constructs and HIV preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, chi-square tests, ANCOVA and multivariable linear regression.

Results: Before the intervention, the two groups were comparable in baseline demographic and study variables (p>0.05). ANCOVA, controlling for baseline scores, showed significant intervention effects on knowledge (F=10.26, p=0.002), perceived susceptibility (F=19.72, p<0.001), perceived severity (F=14.13, p<0.001), perceived benefits (F=4.84, p=0.030), self-efficacy (F=30.48, p<0.001), and cues to action (F=5.92, p=0.016), but not on perceived barriers (p=0.999). Although preventive behavior significantly improved within the intervention group and was higher than the control group at post-intervention, its adjusted between-group effect was not statistically significant (F=3.43, p=0.066). Regression analysis showed higher post-intervention preventive behavior among illiterate participants (B=3.11, p=0.03), housewives (B=1.96, p=0.01), and participants who did not use condoms (B=1.96, p=0.02). The regression model was significant (F=3.85, p=0.0029) and explained 14.4% of the variance in preventive behavior (R ²=0.144).

Educational interventions based on the Health Belief Model improved self-reported preventive behavior scores among vulnerable women. Such as educational programs may be a useful strategy for HIV prevention in high-risk populations.