As practitioners committed to the well-being of children, it is essential to continuously seek out and implement evidence-based strategies that enhance health outcomes. A recent study titled An educational intervention using the health belief model for improvement of oral health behavior in grade-schoolers: a randomized controlled trial by Sanaeinasab et al. (2022) offers valuable insights into improving oral health behaviors in elementary school children using the Health Belief Model (HBM). This blog explores the study's findings and provides actionable steps for practitioners to integrate these insights into their practice.
Understanding the Health Belief Model
The Health Belief Model (HBM) is a psychological model that explains and predicts health behaviors by focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of individuals. According to the HBM, individuals are more likely to adopt preventive health behaviors if they:
- Perceive themselves to be susceptible to a health problem (perceived susceptibility)
- Believe the health problem has serious consequences (perceived severity)
- Believe taking a specific action would reduce their susceptibility to or severity of the health problem (perceived benefits)
- Believe the costs of taking the action are outweighed by the benefits (perceived barriers)
- Are exposed to factors that prompt action (cues to action)
- Are confident in their ability to successfully perform the action (self-efficacy)
Key Findings from the Study
The study involved 112 children aged 6-12 years, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in five consecutive weekly educational sessions based on the HBM, while the control group received routine education from the dental clinic. The outcomes were assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score, papillary bleeding index, and responses to the HBM questionnaire at baseline and three months after the intervention.
Key results included:
- Significant improvement in all HBM domains in the intervention group compared to the control group.
- Notable changes in perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy, which were the most improved domains.
- Significant reduction in the papillary bleeding index and decayed teeth in the intervention group.
Implications for Practitioners
Practitioners can leverage the insights from this study to enhance their practice and improve oral health behaviors among children. Here are some actionable steps:
1. Implement HBM-Based Educational Programs
Design and deliver educational programs that incorporate the HBM principles. Focus on enhancing children's and parents' awareness of susceptibility to oral health problems and the severity of these issues. Highlight the benefits of preventive behaviors and address perceived barriers.
2. Engage Parents in the Educational Process
Include parents in the educational sessions to ensure they can support and reinforce positive oral health behaviors at home. Providing parents with information and strategies can enhance the effectiveness of the intervention.
3. Use Interactive and Practical Sessions
Conduct interactive sessions that include demonstrations of proper brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use. Encourage children and parents to practice these behaviors during the sessions to build confidence and self-efficacy.
4. Provide Regular Reminders and Follow-Ups
Send regular reminders to parents and children about the importance of maintaining oral health behaviors. Follow-up sessions or booster educational sessions can help sustain the benefits over time.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of HBM-based educational interventions and their applicability in different cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this body of research by implementing and evaluating similar interventions in their practice.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: An educational intervention using the health belief model for improvement of oral health behavior in grade-schoolers: a randomized controlled trial.
