Effect of Education on Nutritional Knowledge of Cancer Prevention based on Health Belief Model: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review was conducted to examine the impact of education on nutritional knowledge for cancer prevention using the Health Belief Model. Comprehensive searches were performed in international electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, from their inception until June 16, 2024. Keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings such as "Nutrition Knowledge," "Education," "Health Belief Model," and "Cancer" were utilized. Additionally, Iranian databases like Iranmedex were searched. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical assessment checklist. A total of 611 participants were enrolled in five studies. Among these participants, 78.39% were female, and 76.76% were in the intervention group. The mean age of participants was 42.12 years (SD = 6.47). The mean follow-up period was approximately 14 weeks, and the average duration of the intervention was 54 minutes. The findings indicated that education based on the Health Belief Model was effective in increasing nutritional knowledge. The meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in nutritional knowledge among participants who received HBM-based education, with a pooled SMD of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.52-0.98, p < 0.001), indicating a moderate-to-large effect size. The intervention group demonstrated increased knowledge scores compared to controls, with an average follow-up period of 14 weeks and intervention duration of approximately 54 minutes per session. Health professionals, such as nurses, can utilize this model to enhance nutritional knowledge. It is recommended that health managers and policymakers create environments that enable health professionals to employ educational strategies based on the Health Belief Model, thereby improving nutritional knowledge.