Knowledge, Attitude and Beliefs of Rafsanjan Female Students regarding Preventive Behaviors of Premenstrual Syndrome: Application of Health Belief Model

Introduction: Adopting preventive behaviors of premenstrual syndrome as the most key measure to prevent and control is itself affected by many variables. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of female students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences about preventive behaviors of premenstrual syndrome using a health belief model in 2021. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 female students by stratified sampling. Data collection tool was a questionnaire of demographic information, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of students based on the health belief model and preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18 and Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, independent t-test and multiple regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05. Results: There was a significant correlation between the mean score of behavior with attitude, benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action and barriers (p = 0.0001). Based on multiple regression analysis, the doing of physical activity per week and self-efficacy were the most important predictors of preventive behaviors, respectively. Behavior-correlated variables predict behavior adoption of 0.369. Conclusion: Considering the correlation of variables with behavior, design, implementation and evaluation of health education and promotion interventions using theories and models of behavior change are suggested.