Effect of a PEN-3 model-based educational intervention on cigarette smoking in Iranian patients with myocardial infarction

Cigarette smoking stands out as a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and myocardial infarction (MI). For patients who have experienced MI, quitting smoking is essential to avoid further complications. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an educational intervention based on the PEN-3 model in reducing cigarette smoking among MI patients in Bandar Abbas, Iran. This quasi-experimental, interventional study involved 240 inpatients from the cardiac departments of the Payambar A'zam hospital in Bandar Abbas. Simple random sampling was used to choose the participants, who were then divided into two groups: the intervention group and the control group. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire developed based on the PEN-3 model. It was given both before and three months after the intervention. The intervention group received the educational intervention both in-person and virtually. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25. The intervention group's mean scores for knowledge, perceptions, enablers, nurturers, and actions significantly increased after the educational intervention as compared to the control group (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed between daily and weekly cigarette smoking rates in both groups during the posttest (p < 0.001). Covariance analysis revealed a significant difference in posttest behavior scores between the intervention and control groups after adjusting for pretest scores. PEN-3 model-based interventions that enhance knowledge, adjust perceptions, and address social, cultural, and environmental factors of cigarette smoking may effectively reduce cardiovascular illnesses and myocardial infarction.