Effect of a Social Cognitive Theory-Based Education Program on Self-Efficacy, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors, and Health Literacy in Older Adults Attending Primary Care Centers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a Social Cognitive Theory-based educational intervention on self-efficacy, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and health literacy among older adults. The study will be conducted in a primary care setting and will include individuals aged 65 years and older who meet the inclusion criteria and provide informed consent.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will receive a structured education program based on Social Cognitive Theory, delivered in three weekly face-to-face sessions, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. The content of the program includes health promotion, healthy nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease management, self-efficacy enhancement, and health literacy improvement. The control group will receive routine primary care services without additional intervention.

Data will be collected at two time points: baseline (pre-test) and 4-6 weeks after the completion of the intervention (post-test). Outcome measures include self-efficacy, assessed using the General Self-Efficacy Scale; healthy lifestyle behaviors, assessed using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile; and health literacy, assessed using the Health Literacy Scale (short form).

The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of theory-based educational interventions in promoting health behaviors and improving health literacy among older adults in primary care settings.