Purpose: The current study was aimed to assess health action process approach (HAPA) effectiveness in sunscreen using among paddy workers Design/methodology/approach This interventional study was conducted on 177 paddy workers from Rudsar city. The subjects were randomly assigned into motivational, volitional and control groups. The motivational and volitional groups received the educational intervention based on HAPA. Three groups were evaluated in terms of HAPA constructs, intention and behavior at three times before the intervention, immediately afterward and one month later. Chi-square, repeated measure test were used to analyze the data using SPSS software version 19. Findings: The mean age was 47.78 ± 12.66. The majority of the participants were female (69.3%) and had diploma. based on repeated measure test results the score of the use of sunscreen during the time in intervention groups as well as between the three groups were changed. Based on the results of this study, the score of the constructs of both phases of HAPA in the two groups (motivational and volitional) compared to control group was significantly improved (p < 0.05). Practical implications: The study shows the use of HAPA for the behavioral change related to sunscreen use among the paddy workers as the high-risk group. Originality/value: North of Iran.