Effect of a Health Belief Model–Based Educational Program on University Students’ Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Sexual Harassment

Objective: Sexual harassment is a pervasive global issue that poses serious physical, psychological, and social threats to university students, particularly females. The high prevalence of harassment in academic environments highlights the urgent need for effective preventive strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Health Belief Model–based educational program on university students’ knowledge and beliefs concerning sexual harassment.

Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was conducted at Sumer University, Iraq, involving 335 first-year female students from the Faculties of Medicine (n=215) and Science (n=120). Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire assessing participants’ knowledge and HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy) before and after the intervention. The educational program was tailored according to HBM principles to promote behavioral change.

Findings: Following the Health Belief Model–based educational intervention, students showed significant improvements in knowledge and beliefs across all HBM constructs (p < 0.001), with increased perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy, and reduced perceived barriers. The findings indicate a positive shift toward greater awareness and motivation to prevent sexual harassment.

Conclusion: The HBM-based educational intervention significantly improved students’ knowledge and beliefs about sexual harassment, leading to increased awareness, reduced perceived barriers, and greater readiness to take preventive action. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of theory-driven initiatives in encouraging behavioral change and fostering a safer campus community.