Effectiveness of health belief model-based educational intervention in improving knowledge, beliefs, smoking behaviors, and nicotine dependence among cigarette smoking medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is a major public health threat to the world with rising concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a health belief model (HBM)-based educational intervention in improving knowledge, beliefs, selfreported smoking behaviors, and nicotine dependence among university medical students. Method: A randomized intervention was performed using permuted blocks randomization. Students in the intervention group (n=133) received health education intervention based on the HBM constructs and incorporated smoking related COVID-19 risks. Control subjects (n=129) received basic health education including smoking health related risks. The outcomes measured were: students' knowledge, beliefs, self-reported smoking behaviors, and nicotine dependence. Data were collected at baseline and 30 days post-intervention. Results: After the intervention, percentages of students who had high knowledge and belief scores had significantly increased from ˂5% to >45% in the intervention group (p<0.001). Mean nicotine dependence scores and percentages of daily and heavy smokers among students showed more improvement in the intervention group (3.9±1.5, 35.3%, 5.3%) compared to the control group (5±1.8, 48.8% and 12.4% respectively) (p<0.001) at 30 days post-intervention. Perceived COVID-19 risk susceptibility and risk severity significantly predict post-intervention reduction in moderate/heavy smoking (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) and high nicotine dependence (p<0.01) in the intervention group. Conclusions: This intervention significantly improved knowledge, beliefs, self-reported smoking behaviors and nicotine dependence in medical students. Further research is needed for investigating the effectiveness of applying more complex and longer intervention.

Application of a Poster and Slogan Campaign to Prevent Smoking, in Conjunction with a Health Education Program

“…The findings showed that the HBM questionnaires had a significant impact on the post-test for the experimental group. This outcome was in line with the findings of Tawfik, Soliman, and Elotla (2022), who reported that following the intervention, the percentage of students who had high scores on knowledge and belief tests significantly increased compared to the control group. Furthermore, Pribadi and Devy (2020) discovered that there was a substantial association between the intention of young adult smokers to quit smoking and the perceived factors of the HBM.…”