The impact of a pressure ulcer prevention educational program based on the health belief model for persons with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Pre- and post- trial.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the changes of health belief levels after a pressure ulcer (PrU) prevention educational program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).

SETTING

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre, Malaysia.

METHODS

This study was conducted between May 2016 and May 2018. We created a multidisciplinary structured PrU prevention education program based on the HBM, consisting of didactic lectures, open discussions and a practical session. The content of the program was based on several PrU prevention guidelines. The education program focused on a group of 6-10 participants, and was conducted by a multidisciplinary team; doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and a nurse. The skin care belief scales (SCBS) questionnaire was administered pre, post and 8-week post intervention, which measured the 9 domains of HBM. The data from the study was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to assess the effectiveness of the program.

RESULTS

Thirty spinal cord injured participants who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria completed this study. The results of the education program show statistically significant effects on Susceptibility; F (2,58) = 12.53, < 0.05, Barriers to Skin Check Belief; F(2,58) = 5.74, > 0.05, Benefits to Wheelchair Pressure Relief Belief; F(1.65,47.8) = 3.97, < 0.05, Barriers to Turning and Positioning Belief; F(2,58) = 3.92,  < 0.05 and Self-Efficacy; F(1.7,49.11) = 4.7, < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

A structured HBM based education program is shown to improve health beliefs level in five SCBS domains. This education program is recommended for PrU prevention within the spinal cord injured population.

IMPLICATIONS

A multidisciplinary structured HBM based education program may improve the current method of PrU prevention education.