The College of Nursing examined the doctoral dissertation titled: “Efficacy of an Extended Health Belief Model-Based Intervention in Promoting Brain Health-Promoting Behaviors Among University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” submitted by the PhD candidate Zainab Muayad Hamza, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Aysen Kamal Mohammed Nouri, held in the Grand Hall of the college.
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention program grounded in the Extended Health Belief Model (EHBM) to cultivate and promote preventive health behaviors that enhance brain health and cognitive function among university students.
The findings of the randomized trial demonstrated a significant positive impact of the health intervention on reshaping health beliefs and daily practices among students, thereby supporting neurocognitive health preservation and actively contributing to the early prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, notably dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The researcher recommended shifting conventional perceptions by not restricting dementia prevention efforts to middle-aged or older populations, emphasizing the integration of culturally sensitive brain health education into higher education environments as an effective, early, and sustainable public health intervention. Following an in-depth scientific defense, the dissertation was approved, and the researcher was awarded a PhD degree with a Very Good rating.
This study aligns directly with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by fostering neurological and mental health and ensuring early prevention of chronic neurodegenerative diseases, Goal 4 (Quality Education) through enriching academic literature with rigorous clinical trials utilizing health education as a preventive tool, and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by integrating educational and research initiatives in service of community health systems.
