Premarital counselling is one of the most important strategies for prevention of genetic disorders, congenital anomalies and several medical, psychosocial marital problems. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of application of Health Belief Model on females' knowledge and Practice regarding premarital counseling. Design: a quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: the current study was conducted at administrative building at Benha University. Sample: A purposive sample of 340 females out of (n=2306) and randomly divided into an intervention group (170) and control. Three tools were used for data collection; 1) a structured interview questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics and females’ knowledge regarding premarital counselling. 2) Health belief model questionnaire. 3) Questionnaire to assess intention to practice of premarital counselling. Results: There was no significant difference between both groups in general characteristics, although there was statistically significant difference in females' knowledge, health beliefs and intention to practice premarital counselling in the intervention group compared to the control group two months after The application of health beliefs model p ≤ 0.001. There was a positive highly statistically significant correlation between total knowledge and total intention scores in both groups before and after two months of premarital counselling. Conclusion: Health Belief Model was effective in improving females' knowledge, health beliefs and health Practice. Recommendation: Dissemination of premarital counselling based on health belief model among females to increase awareness. |
