Effect of Health Workers' Training Programs on Preventive Behavior of Leishmaniosis Based on BASNEF Model

Background: We aimed to assess the impact of health workers' training program on preventive behaviors of leishmaniosis based on BASNEF (Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Enabling Factors) model in the families under the coverage of health centers. Methods: The study was done in rural health centers of Marvdasht City, Fars Province, Iran in 2011. Health workers completed a specific questionnaire. Moreover, out of the families under the health center's coverage, 20 families from each health center were selected in order to complete the questionnaire. Then, 4 training sessions for the health workers and 2 training sessions for influential individuals were held. Weekly meetings were also conducted with the health workers' representatives in order to prepare the enabling factors and solve the problems. Three months after the health workers' training, the data were collected again and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software (version 16). Results: The mean scores obtained for knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, and health workers' behavior significantly increased after the educational intervention in the experimental (intervention) group (P=0.001). Influential individuals also revealed significant changes after the educational intervention (P=0.001). The mean scores obtained for those factors of the attendant families under coverage also increased significantly in the experimental group (P=0.001). Conclusion: Educational programs based on the BASNEF model might change the health workers' behavior and, eventually, their training behavior leads to preventive actions in families under coverage.