The impact of a pressure ulcer prevention educational program based on the health belief model for persons with spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2020.1860868 · Published: December 16, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Dermatology

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to see if a special education program could help people with spinal cord injuries prevent pressure ulcers. The program was based on a health belief model, which looks at how people's beliefs about their health affect their actions. The program included lectures, discussions, and hands-on practice, all focusing on how to prevent pressure ulcers. Researchers measured the participants' health beliefs before, right after, and eight weeks after the program. The results showed that the program improved the participants' beliefs about their risk of getting ulcers, the benefits of preventing them, and their confidence in their ability to prevent them. The researchers believe this type of program could be a good way to help people with spinal cord injuries avoid pressure ulcers.

Study Duration

Between May 2016 and May 2018

Participants

Thirty spinal cord injured participants

Evidence Level

Pre- and post- trial

Key Findings

1
The education program showed statistically significant effects on Susceptibility; F (2,58) = 12.53, P < 0.05.
2
The education program showed statistically significant effects on Barriers to Skin Check Belief; F(2,58) = 5.74, P > 0.05.
3
The education program showed statistically significant effects on Self-Efficacy; F(1.7,49.11) = 4.7, P < 0.05.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the impact of a structured pressure ulcer (PrU) prevention educational program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The program, consisting of didactic lectures, open discussions, and a practical session, aimed to improve health beliefs related to PrU prevention. The results indicated significant improvements in several domains of the Skin Care Beliefs Scale (SCBS), including susceptibility, barriers to skin check, benefits to wheelchair pressure relief, barriers to turning and positioning, and self-efficacy.

Practical Implications

Improved Education

A multidisciplinary structured HBM based education program may improve the current method of PrU prevention education.

Clinical Practice

The findings support the integration of HBM-based education in PrU prevention programs for the SCI population.

Future Research

Further studies could explore the long-term sustainability of the observed changes in health beliefs and their impact on actual PrU incidence.

Study Limitations

1
The study design being a one-arm single centered study and with a small sample size reduced the power of the study.
2
The dominance of chronic SCI participants in the studies, who may have sound theoretical knowledge might have affected some of the results.
3
The study does not actually address whether the provision of prevention education reduces the incidence of PrUs.

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