The examination of the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on the planned behavior theory on improving pubertal health behavior in female high school students

Abstract

Background: Puberty is a period of psychological, physical, mental, emotional and social growth that stability and development of personality occurs in this period. This study aimed to determine the effect of planned behavior theory on improving pubertal health behavior in female first grade high school students. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention was conducted in female high school in Khamir city, Iran in 2015. One of the schools were randomly assigned to the control group and other to the experimental group. Using the formula sample, 60 students were selected from each school. Samples were evaluated in two stages through pre-test and two months later via post-test by administered questionnaire including questions about demographic characteristics and structures of planned behavior theory. The content of training was presented through lecture group discussion with teaching aids such as booklet and pamphlet. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: The intervention group mean age at first menstrual period was 12.30 ± 0.84 years old and for control group was 12.25 ± 0.79 years old. The results showed that two months after the intervention, health behaviors, subjective norms, behavioral intention, perceived behavioral control, and attitude, were significantly higher than pre- intervention (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that the behavioral intention has the greatest impact on pubertal health behaviors (P < 0.05, β = 0.447). The distribution of information sources analysis revealed, the greatest source of information were: mother and family members, school health teachers, books, school friends, teachers, TV, pamphlets, websites, health workers, newspapers and magazines, school counselors and radio were next in ranking. Conclusion: According to the results, the theory of planned behavior-based training can improve pubertal health behaviors in students. Therefore, it is suggested the training programs should focus on these structures to improve pubertal health behaviors.