Impact of Education Based on the Health Belief Model on the Nutritional Knowledge and Performance of Female Health Ambassadors

Abstract

Background & Aims: The nutrition of every individual is closely correlated with their physical and mental health. Adequate consumption of nutrients maintains health and increases efficiency, while improper nutrition leads to physical and mental complications. Foodborne illnesses constitute a very large group of diseases in the world and are considered to be a major health concern in different countries. Improper nutrition is an inherent element of an unhealthy lifestyle, as well as an important cause of this issue. Improper nutrition leads to the further progression of chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, which cost billions of dollars in medical care and reduce annual production. Malnutrition and obesity are among the major causes and contributing factors to mortality. Studies of the dietary patterns of Iranians have indicated significant deficiencies in the daily food consumption of various social groups. Furthermore, a national health survey has shown that Iranians consume more saturated fatty acids and energy than the recommended amount. Changing health behaviors is the greatest hope for reducing the burden of disease and mortality worldwide. The importance of women's nutritional health as part of the society and mothers and their impact on maintaining the health of other family members make them a suitable target group to improve nutritional behavior. Women constitute about half of the world's population, and their health guarantees community health and is of particular importance. With the implementation of the comprehensive program of health ambassadors in the urban and rural health centers in Iran, women were considered as the main educators of the family. The majority of health ambassadors are women, who are often selected from among the covered families by various healthcare units. Female health ambassadors are the housewives or employed women who help improve community health by receiving education and passing it on to other family members and the population under their care. Studies have indicated that using the patterns and theories of behavior change could increase the likelihood of the higher impact of health education programs by considering the individual and environmental characteristics that influence behaviors. Researchers have used multiple models for behavioral change, with the training primarily based on an educational model, Conclusion: According to the results, the nutrition knowledge and performance of the female health ambassadors improved after the educational intervention based on the pattern of the health belief model, and the effects would persist even after the training. Given the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and efficacy of this model, it could be used as a framework for nutrition educational programs alongside other educational methods in every healthcare center. It is also recommended that educational programs based on this model be developed and implemented for female health ambassadors on a larger scale, and model- and theory-based educational interventions are also suggested for this group, particularly training based on the health belief pattern.