Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Education

Overview

Aim: This study aimed to determine the impact of an education and counseling program based on the health belief model on coronary heart disease risk factors knowledge level, risk perception of heart disease, and Framingham risk scores. Background: Coronary heart disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and effective prevention strategies are critical. The health belief model provides a theoretical framework for understanding and influencing health behaviors. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test approach was employed. Methods: Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale, and the Heart Disease Risk Perception Scale. Additionally, Framingham risk scores were calculated.

The educational programme entitled "HBM Approach to Prevent CHD" was designed by the researcher and delivered as a presentation. The educational sessions were conducted face-to-face at the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Dursun Odabaş Medical Center and lasted approximately 35-45 minutes. In addition, follow-up telephone calls were made to individuals in the intervention group twice at two-month intervals. The content of the educational programme was developed based on a comprehensive literature review using resources from the Turkish Society of Cardiology, the WHO, the Ministry of Health, the Turkish Public Health Institution, evidence-based research and previous studies. The programme covered topics such as the definition of CHD, risk factors, treatment, complications, perceived susceptibility and severity of CHD, perceived benefits, barriers and strategies to overcome them, self-efficacy, and rules for engaging in physical activity and maintaining a healthy diet. Participants in the educational sessions received a booklet entitled "Health Belief Model Approach to Prevent CHD" as a reminder tool. This booklet contained the same information as the presentation. The education was given to the intervention group immediately after the collection of the pre-test data. The control group received no intervention. The post-test data were collected six months after the pre-test. After the post-test, participants in the control group also received the educational booklet. The care approach, based on the HBM, included several interventions aimed at increasing participants' awareness of CHD. To increase the perception of susceptibility, participants were informed about the definition, symptoms, incidence and risk factors of CHD, thereby increasing their sensitivity to the issue. To increase perceptions of severity, the health, social and economic problems caused by CHD were explained in detail. Perceptions of benefits were enhanced by emphasising the benefits of prevention in the lives of the participants. In terms of barriers, potential obstacles to adopting health-promoting behaviours to prevent CHD were explained in detail. Health motivation was supported by providing education and counselling services to help participants overcome these barriers. Finally, in the self-efficacy dimension, participants were encouraged to share their thoughts about prevention methods, which helped to build their confidence. This approach aimed to empower participants to be more aware and effective in preventing CHD.