Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) can effectively improve skin cancer protective behaviors, knowledge, and related health beliefs among female healthcare workers in Ahvaz, Iran. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Researchers will compare an intervention group receiving a multicomponent educational program-including seven 45-minute sessions delivered both in-person and via WhatsApp-tailored to HBM constructs, with a comparison group receiving no intervention, to determine the intervention's effectiveness.
Participants will:
This study will evaluate if implementing a theory-driven, blended educational intervention can successfully promote protective behaviors and health beliefs related to skin cancer prevention among female healthcare workers.
This clinical trial study was conducted from 2022 to 2023 in health centers of Ahvaz, Iran, to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in promoting skin cancer protective behaviors among female healthcare workers (HCWs). The study employed a two-group parallel design, randomly allocating 160 participants into an intervention group (n=54) and a comparison group (n=106). Eligible participants included female HCWs employed in the selected centers, with smartphone access and the ability to engage with digital educational content.
The educational program was developed according to HBM constructs, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. The intervention consisted of seven 45-minute sessions delivered over two months using a blended approach combining in-person workshops and WhatsApp-based virtual education. Teaching methods included lectures, multimedia presentations, group discussions, motivational messaging, and reminder posters strategically placed in the workplace.
The content was tailored based on baseline knowledge and behavioral assessments. Early sessions addressed skin cancer symptoms, risk factors, and complications to raise awareness and perceived risk. Subsequent sessions emphasized the advantages of protective behaviors, addressed and sought to reduce perceived barriers, and incorporated stress management and motivational techniques to enhance self-efficacy.
Data collection employed a validated researcher-designed questionnaire covering demographic variables, knowledge about skin cancer, HBM constructs, and adherence to UV protective behaviors. Assessments were performed at baseline and two months post-intervention.
Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests for categorical variables, and independent and paired t-tests to compare continuous variables within and between groups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlled for confounding factors when evaluating intervention effects.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Intervention Group | Experimental | Female healthcare workers participated in a multilevel educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) to enhance skin cancer protective behaviors. The program consisted of seven 45-minute sessions delivered both face-to-face and virtually via WhatsApp. The sessions focused on improving knowledge and modifying HBM construct. Educational materials included pamphlets, video clips, group discussions, and motivational messages. Reminders and posters were used in the workplace to reinforce learning and encourage sustained behavior change. |
|
| Arm 2: Control Group | No Intervention | Participants in the control group did not receive any educational intervention during the study period. They continued with their usual work routine and standard health education programs available at their workplaces. Assessments of their knowledge, health beliefs, and protective behaviors related to skin cancer were conducted at baseline and two months later to serve as a comparison for evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Belief Model-Based Educational Program for Skin Cancer Prevention Among Female Healthcare Workers | Behavioral | This blended educational intervention employs the Health Belief Model (HBM) to promote skin cancer preventive behaviors in female healthcare workers in Ahvaz, Iran. The 7-session program (each 45 minutes) combines in-person training with WhatsApp-based follow-ups. Participant Components:
Unique aspects distinguishing this intervention include its specific tailoring for female healthcare workers in a high UV-exposure region, the combined digital and face-to-face delivery approach, and comprehensive focus on all HBM construc |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Skin Cancer Protective Behaviors | Skin cancer protective behaviors among female healthcare workers were assessed using a validated, researcher-developed questionnaire. The instrument included multiple items evaluating behaviors such as applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing (wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, gloves), and using sunglasses. Responses were measured on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("Never") to 5 ("Always"). Protective behaviors were expressed as the average score across items, with higher scores indicating more frequent and consistent engagement in skin cancer prevention practices. | Baseline (pre-intervention) and 2 months post-intervention. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in Cognitive-Behavioral Constructs Related to Skin Cancer Prevention | This outcome assesses changes in Health Belief Model (HBM)-based constructs related to skin cancer prevention, including perceived susceptibility (5 items; score range: 5-25), perceived severity (6 items; score range: 6-30), perceived benefits (5 items; score range: 5-25), perceived barriers (6 items; score range: 6-30), cues to action (4 items; score range: 4-20), self-efficacy (7 items; score range: 7-35), and knowledge (15 items; score range: 0-15). All constructs except perceived barriers were scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "Strongly Agree" (score 5) to "Strongly Disagree" (score 1), where higher scores indicate more favorable outcomes such as greater perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, self-efficacy, and cues to action. Items related to perceived barriers were reverse scored, so that higher scores indicate fewer perceived barriers. These constructs were measured using validated, researcher-developed questionnaires at baseline and two months after the inte |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Arash Salahshouri, Ph.D. | Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahwaz West Health Center | Ahvāz | Khouzestan | 6155745474 | Iran |
Public release of these data is not part of the research plan. However, upon reasonable request from researchers, and with ethics committee approval and strict confidentiality maintained, participant data can be shared with researchers in a controlled and limited manner.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
This study uses a parallel-group quasi-experimental design, where female healthcare workers are assigned to either an intervention group or a comparison group. Both groups were followed concurrently over a two-month period. The intervention group received a multicomponent blended educational program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), delivered through face-to-face sessions and WhatsApp messaging. The comparison group did not receive any educational intervention. Outcomes related to skin cancer knowledge, Health Belief Model constructs, and protective behaviors against ultraviolet radiation were measured and compared at baseline and two months post-intervention. This design allows a direct evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness compared to usual conditions without educational input.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
|
| Before and two months after the intervention |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009369 | Neoplasms |
| D012878 | Skin Neoplasms |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009371 | Neoplasms by Site |
| D012871 | Skin Diseases |
| D017437 | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases |
Not provided
Not provided