The impact of theory-based educational intervention on improving helmet use behavior among workers of cement factory, Iran

The occurrence of occupational accidents is a serious public health issue in industrial workers and
may impose life jeopardizing complications. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a training intervention
based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on helmet use of workers in cement factories in Khoy and Urmia,
Northwest of Iran.
Materials and methods: This study was a controlled quasi-experimental investigation (before and after) which
was conducted on 170 workers employed in Khoy and Urmia cement factories, Northwest of Iran. Eighty-five
eligible subjects from Khoy (as intervention group) and 85 similar samples from Urmia (as control group) were
selected and recruited. A valid and reliable four-part questionnaire was used to collect the data including socio
demographic information, awareness, the theory constructs, and the behavior. After completing the study
questionnaire and needs assessment, a specific educational program was implemented on the intervention group
only. The effects of education were compared between the groups before and after intervention. The posttest was
applied 1 month after educational intervention.
Results: The mean age of workers in the intervention and control groups was 34.32 ± 8.19 and 33.62 ± 6.17 years,
respectively. Before education, the mean score of awareness and helmet use behavior of intervention group was
6.15 ± 3.4 and 5.35 ± 2.8, but after education, those changed into 13.61 ± 3.10 and 9.15 ± 1.65, and the differences
were significant (p < 0.01). In addition, before education, the mean score of attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control,
and behavioral intention of intervention group was 27 ± 5.17, 37.74 ± 6.92, 29.56 ± 6.17, and 17.65 ± 4.90, respectively.
After education, the mean score of those changed into 37.26 ± 4.76, 48.34 ± 5.64, 42 ± 8.07, and 24.79 ± 5.33,
respectively, and changes were statistically significant (p < 0.01), while no statistically significant differences were
observed in awareness, the behavior, and the theory constructs in the control group after the intervention.
Conclusion and recommendations: The TPB-based educational approach had a remarkable effect on helmet
use of workers. Applying this theory to improve workers’ personal protective behaviors is recommended and
emphasized