Background: Head lice infestation is a common health problem among school-aged children. This study aimed to determine the effect of an educational intervention based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) on the adoption of preventive behaviors against head lice infestation among female elementary school students.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with intervention and control groups. Study areas were randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control group. One elementary school was then selected from each area, and fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade female students were randomly selected using two-stage cluster sampling. The study included 84 students in the intervention group and 67 in the control group. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire assessing awareness and PMT constructs and were analyzed in SPSS version 16 using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, and ANCOVA.

Results: Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the mean scores of awareness and PMT constructs, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self efficacy, response efficacy, response costs, fear, protection motivation, and preventive behavior (p>0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of awareness, all PMT constructs, and preventive behavior were significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (p<0.001). Paired t test results indicated significant improvements in all PMT constructs in the intervention group after the educational program (p<0.001), while awareness did not significantly change (p=0.190). ANCOVA confirmed a significant effect of the intervention on awareness, PMT constructs, and preventive behaviors (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Educational interventions based on Protection Motivation Theory are effective in enhancing protective motivation and promoting preventive behaviors against pediculosis among female students.