The impact of education on the knowledge and attitude of male teachers about their practice of family planning: application of health belief model

Introduction: Due to the population explosion and its detrimental effects on different parts of society and the fact that men do not play a significant role in family planning, this study was conducted aiming at investigating the effects of education through health Belief Model on the knowledge and attitude of male teachers in Marvedasht about family planning. Material and Methods: This is a quasi-experimental research. It was a kind of before and after intervention research. 90 male teachers were evaluated by a questionnaire including personal, attitudinal, and knowledge-estimating questions. The educational program was performed using pamphlets and question and answer meetings according to health belief model. The results were analyzed using t-tests, χ2, and Pearson and Spearman correlation. Results: The results of the t-tests between the scores of awareness and attitude before and after training the teachers under the study show that there was a statistically significant difference before and after the training program (P<0.001). Moreover, there was a correlation between awareness and attitude scores of the individuals as well as the variables of the individuals' age, their spouses' age, the number of children, job, and their spouses' level of education. Conclusion: Education can increase the knowledge and change in the attitudes of the individuals about family planning. Finally, it is suggested that the educational programs related to family planning which are specially designed for men be designed by the health authorities in our country.