Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Health Promotion Perspectives 2228-6497 1 2 2011 12 01 Development of a Rheumatoid Arthritis Education Program using the PRECEDE_PROCEED Model 118 129 10.5681/hpp.2011.013 EN Haidar Nadrian Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad Kaveh Bahmanpour Journal Article 10.5681/hpp.2011.013 2012 06 24 Background: In order to help rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in carrying out and at­taining relevant self-care behaviors and adaptation to the physical limitations of this dis­ease and, conse­quently, promoting their level of health status, an education program based on the PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE–PROCEED model targeting patients with RA was developed. This paper describes the planning of a RA Patient Education Program (RAPEP) designed to promote their quality of life. Methods: The development of the program began with a comprehensive review of the li­terature. This included a review of the signs and symptoms of RA, accompanying func­tional disabilities, previous educational programs and the effect of the disease on the pa­tient’s quality of life. Be­sides, in order to help inform RAPEP program development, and organize the survey according to the factors identified in the PRECEDE model a cross-sectional survey was applied on a non-prob­ability sample of 181 outpatients in Yazd, center of Iran. Results: The quality of life (QOL) problem identified was the considerable low role func­tioning, health perception and physical functioning due to chronic pain. One of the most significant modi­fiable behavioral factors impacting pain and functional limitations was self-care behaviors in RA patients. Higher level of knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, enabling factors and social support is associated with better self-care behavior. Conclusions: The PRECEDE component of the PRECEDE–PROCEED model provided a com­prehensive conceptual framework for the development of RAPEP aiming at RA pa­tients in Yazd. Further research to evaluate this educational program is suggested.