Abstract

Background & Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based educational intervention on sustained self-reported protective behaviors during dust storms among primary school teachers.

Methods: In a quasi-experimental design, 242 teachers were selected through cluster sampling and assigned to intervention (n=121) and control (n=121) groups. The sample size was calculated using the formula for comparing means between two independent groups. Based on a 95% confidence level (Z₁₋α/₂ = 1.96) and 80% power (Z₁₋β = 0.84), and assuming a standard deviation of 3.3 and a minimum detectable difference of 1.5 in protective behavior scores between groups, the required sample size was calculated as n = 81 per group. To account for the design effect due to cluster sampling, we applied a design effect coefficient of 1.2 (20% increase), resulting in n = 97 per group. To further compensate for potential attrition during the three-month follow-up period, we added an additional 25% (n = 24), yielding a final sample size of 121 participants per group (total N = 242).

Conclusion: HBM-based education effectively enhanced and sustained self-reported protective behaviors against dust exposure among teachers. Targeting teachers in community health programs can promote broader adoption of preventive behaviors during dust storms.