Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students

Background and purpose: The implementation of theory-based interventions is essential for the prevention of skin cancer among male adolescents, given their high levels of sun exposure and low adherence to preventive behaviors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an educational...

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Main Authors: Qazal Olad Azimi, Isa Mohammadi Zeidi, Hadi Morshedi, Mohammadreza Maleki, Saeed Shahsavari, Amir Pakpoor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
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Online Access:http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21504-en.pdf
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author Qazal Olad Azimi
Isa Mohammadi Zeidi
Hadi Morshedi
Mohammadreza Maleki
Saeed Shahsavari
Amir Pakpoor
author_facet Qazal Olad Azimi
Isa Mohammadi Zeidi
Hadi Morshedi
Mohammadreza Maleki
Saeed Shahsavari
Amir Pakpoor
author_sort Qazal Olad Azimi
collection DOAJ
description Background and purpose: The implementation of theory-based interventions is essential for the prevention of skin cancer among male adolescents, given their high levels of sun exposure and low adherence to preventive behaviors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model on sun protective behaviors in male students. Materials and methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental design involving 168 male students aged 13 to 15 years from eight public schools in Qaemshahr city, who were assigned to either the experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of five 45-minute group training sessions, each accompanied by a 3–5-minute summarized educational audio file and two targeted SMS messages. Data were collected using a multi-section questionnaire comprising demographic items, 31 items measuring subscales of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, and an 8-item behavioral evaluation checklist. Questionnaires were completed both before the intervention and three months afterwards. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, employing chi-square tests, independent and paired t-tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results indicated that, after controlling for the pre-test variable, the mean scores significantly improved in the experimental group following the theory-based intervention. Specifically, there were significant increases in self-efficacy (from 9.06 ± 2.48 to 14.13 ± 4.29), health awareness (from 3.57 ± 1.30 to 6.12 ± 3.38), action planning (from 6.45 ± 1.86 to 11.30 ± 2.23), coping planning (from 7.34 ± 1.67 to 12.15 ± 2.38), perceived risk (from 12.92 ± 5.13 to 20.55 ± 6.43), intention (from 8.35 ± 3.42 to 15.82 ± 4.25), and sun protection behavior (from 1.34 ± 1.45 to 3.74 ± 2.10) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Promoting the psychological variables influencing sun protective behaviors highlights the efficacy of educational interventions based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model. Therefore, it is recommended that the HAPA model be utilized in the design of educational interventions aimed at improving sun protective behaviors, due to its comprehensive set of psychological constructs that influence behavior and its strong predictive capacity for health-related actions.
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spelling doaj-art-8aee1bbbe99c4101bf55a4ccc23a9dd12025-07-20T09:18:24ZengMazandaran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences1735-92601735-92792025-07-01352464759Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male StudentsQazal Olad Azimi0Isa Mohammadi Zeidi1Hadi Morshedi2Mohammadreza Maleki3Saeed Shahsavari4Amir Pakpoor5 MSc in Health Education, Health School, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Associate Professor, Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Associate Professor, Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Associate Professor, Children Growth Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Assistant Professor, Department of biostatistics and epidemiology, school of health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran Assistant Professor, Department of biostatistics and epidemiology, school of health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Alborz, Iran Background and purpose: The implementation of theory-based interventions is essential for the prevention of skin cancer among male adolescents, given their high levels of sun exposure and low adherence to preventive behaviors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model on sun protective behaviors in male students. Materials and methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental design involving 168 male students aged 13 to 15 years from eight public schools in Qaemshahr city, who were assigned to either the experimental or control group. The intervention consisted of five 45-minute group training sessions, each accompanied by a 3–5-minute summarized educational audio file and two targeted SMS messages. Data were collected using a multi-section questionnaire comprising demographic items, 31 items measuring subscales of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, and an 8-item behavioral evaluation checklist. Questionnaires were completed both before the intervention and three months afterwards. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, employing chi-square tests, independent and paired t-tests, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results indicated that, after controlling for the pre-test variable, the mean scores significantly improved in the experimental group following the theory-based intervention. Specifically, there were significant increases in self-efficacy (from 9.06 ± 2.48 to 14.13 ± 4.29), health awareness (from 3.57 ± 1.30 to 6.12 ± 3.38), action planning (from 6.45 ± 1.86 to 11.30 ± 2.23), coping planning (from 7.34 ± 1.67 to 12.15 ± 2.38), perceived risk (from 12.92 ± 5.13 to 20.55 ± 6.43), intention (from 8.35 ± 3.42 to 15.82 ± 4.25), and sun protection behavior (from 1.34 ± 1.45 to 3.74 ± 2.10) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Promoting the psychological variables influencing sun protective behaviors highlights the efficacy of educational interventions based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model. Therefore, it is recommended that the HAPA model be utilized in the design of educational interventions aimed at improving sun protective behaviors, due to its comprehensive set of psychological constructs that influence behavior and its strong predictive capacity for health-related actions.http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21504-en.pdfsunlightself-efficacyeducationperceived riskplanningskin cancer
spellingShingle Qazal Olad Azimi
Isa Mohammadi Zeidi
Hadi Morshedi
Mohammadreza Maleki
Saeed Shahsavari
Amir Pakpoor
Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
sunlight
self-efficacy
education
perceived risk
planning
skin cancer
title Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
title_full Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
title_fullStr Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
title_short Effectiveness of a Theory-Based Educational Intervention on the Constructs of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model and Sun Protective Behaviors in Male Students
title_sort effectiveness of a theory based educational intervention on the constructs of the health action process approach hapa model and sun protective behaviors in male students
topic sunlight
self-efficacy
education
perceived risk
planning
skin cancer
url http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21504-en.pdf
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