Effectiveness of an Educational Program Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior for Improving Safe Sexual Behaviors Intention among Addicted Males: A Quasi Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Sexual risk behaviors are the most important risky behaviors that put individuals and the society at risk of serious infectious diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and viral Hepatitis, considering the high prevalence of unsafe sexual behavior. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an educational program based on the theory of planned behavior to improve safe sexual behaviors intention among male substance abusers. Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 104 substance abusers (52 participants in the interevention group and 52 in the control group) covered by the Substance abuse treatment centers in Hamadan, the west of Iran. Data collecting tools was a questionnaire that consisted of demographic information and the theory of planned behavior variables. The participants in the intervention group participated in four training sessions. Effect of educational intervention on behavioral intention was assessed two months after the last training session. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 using appropriate statistical tests including paired t-test, independent t-tests, McNemar and multivariate logistic regression analysis Results: Significant improvements were found in attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention for the intervention group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Comprehensive implementation of educational courses based on the theory of planned behavior would be effective to improve safe sexual behaviors intention amonge male substance abusers that prevent sexually transmitted diseases. © 2016, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.