Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have always been considered as a health
problem in the world. Also, vulnerable women (addicts, jail breakers, and prostitutes) are at the highest
risk. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) approach, the only effective way to prevent
and control this disease is public health education, and high‑risk and vulnerable groups should be
prioritized in educational programs. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of health belief
model (HBM)‑based education on changing the behaviors related to STIs in vulnerable women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is an intervention (field trial) study in vulnerable
women. Convenience sampling method was used in this study and the sample size was determined
to be 84 subjects. Through tossing a coin, the social support center was selected as the intervention
group and the drop‑in center as the control group. Quantitative data analysis was performed, and
descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used.
RESULTS: The mean scores of perceived threat, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and
perceived self‑efficacy and changes in performance between the three measurement stages, as
well as changes in the scores of perceived threat, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and
perceived self‑efficacy over three measurement times were significantly different between the two
groups (interaction) (P < 0.001). The mean score of performance 3 months after the intervention
was significantly higher than before the intervention (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed the effectiveness of the HBM in promoting behavioral
modifiers that lead to STIs. Therefore, educational interventions with emphasis on understanding
the threats, benefits, barriers, and self‑efficacy and, ultimately, performance improvement in relation
to STIs are recommended.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Women’s health is supposed to be one of the indicators of development.
Reproductive health is an important part of women’s health. Vulnerable women are a group of women
whose reproductive health needs to be given special attention. The purpose of this study was to
compare the reproductive health of vulnerable and nonvulnerable women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted on vulnerable
women (n = 250) and nonvulnerable women (n = 250). The samples were selected from vulnerable
women’s centers and comprehensive health centers in Isfahan by quota and using simple random
sampling method in 2017. The research tool was a researcher‑made questionnaire completed by the
researcher using interview method. Internal reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed to be 0.89
using Cronbach’s alpha. A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Data analysis was
performed using SPSS 18 software and independent t‑test, Mann–Whitney, Pearson, Spearman,
and Chi‑square tests.
RESULTS: The results showed that the mean total score of reproductive health in the nonvulnerable
group (81.41) was significantly higher than that of the vulnerable group (68.6). The mean total score
and the score of reproductive health components, except some of them, were significantly different
between the two groups (P < 0.05). Having an addicted spouse and unsafe sex were the most
prevalent features associated with high‑risk behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, reproductive health status of vulnerable women
is inappropriate in all dimensions. Given the importance of this issue, the development and
implementation of special health programs for this group seem to be necessary.