Preventive Behaviors of Malta Fever in Country Women: A Family-Based Empowerment Model

Brucellosis (Malta fever) is one of the most common zoonosis diseases. The role of the family in preventive behaviors against brucellosis is important, so this study was conducted to determine the relationship between preventative behaviors of brucellosis and family-based empowerment models in women in families with brucellosis patients in Iran. Instrument & Methods: 200 people participated in this descriptive study through the multi-stage cluster method. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, awareness, attitude, self-efficacy, and self-esteem and behavior. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent T-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson and Spearman correlation and regression. Findings: 96 (48%) participants had a history of brucellosis, 174 (87%) had a history of contact with livestock, 131 (65.5%) had a history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (r=-0.218, p=0.003). Based on the independent t-test, a significant relationship was observed between pasteurized dairy consumption and housekeeping with preventive behavior (p=0.039) (p=0.455). Variance analysis test showed a significant relationship between the level of education and preventive behavior (p=0.002). According to the linear regression model, the relationship between self-efficacy and behavior was significant (p<0.001), and self-efficacy had more predictive power than other constructs. Conclusion: In countrywomen, self-efficacy plays an important role in predicting behavior. In order to promote preventive behaviors against brucellosis, people's self-efficacy should be improved.