title: The impact of educational intervention based on empowerment model in preventing violence against women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most obvious forms of violence in today's society is violence against women. In Iran, along with other countries, violence against women has become a problematic issue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present research aims to investigate the impact of educational intervention based on empowerment model in preventing violent behaviors against women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is an intervention research done through the random selection of 91 women under the aegis of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in Gorgan. Tools for data gathering included demographics checklist, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, general self-efficacy, awareness and attitude questionnaires. Three ninety-minute educational sessions were held for each group to enhance their awareness, change their attitudes, and train them life skills to increase self-esteem so that they can express their vicarious experiences to increase their self-efficacy toward violent behavior. Following the post-test, data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 20). Tests for analyzing data included descriptive and analytical tests (chi-square, Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA and paired t test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that the frequency of domestic violence against participating women was significant after educational intervention, as compared to pre-intervention period. Paired t-test showed that average scores of awareness, attitude, self-esteem, and self-efficacy constructs, and total power were statistically higher after educational intervention as compared to the period prior to intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As one of the manifestations and the moving force of empowerment, education is the first major strategy in codifying, designing, and implementing empowerment programs. For women to be empowered, the active participation of all people in education is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Taghdisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Estebsari
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dastoorpour
authors.affiliation: Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ensiyeh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jamshidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Economics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fiesal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamalzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Latifi
keywords: Empowerment; Self Efficacy; Self Esteem; Violence; Women