Study of nutritional knowledge of Ahwaz high school girls and the education effect

Undoubtedly proper nourishment has a great role in the prevention of many diseases, especially chronic ones, and also increasing mental and physical efficiency. One of the main factors which ensures appropriate nutrition in families is how much knowledge each member of family has about the principles of right nutrition. Meanwhile, the role of mothers, as diet planners in family nourishment, is crucial. The present study was aimed at assessing nutritional knowledge of high school girls in Ahwaz and education effect on their knowledge. The present study was conducted in a semi-experimental intervention on 150 female third-grade high school students in Ahwaz applying randomized cluster sampling. The questionnaire used in this survey contained 30 questions (23 questions about knowledge level and 7 demographic questions).Firstly, the students were given a test (a questionnaire) in their have own schools. Secondly, education was presented in two ways: a. face to face, b. booklets. Finally, the students’ knowledge level was tested once more. The obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software, paired sample t, correlation coefficient, mean and standard deviation indices at the significant level P<0.05. It was found that mean knowledge score increased from 14.532.32 to 18.13.03 as a result of education; a growth equal to 15.62 %. Besides, assessment results indicated the growth from 0 to 42.8% in correct answering to various questions (P=0.003); thus, education efficacy was actually significant. This study approves the results of similar research conducted, in and outside the country, on various age groups and careers regarding positive effects of education on nutritional knowledge, yet the fact that in what aspects the subjects knowledge needed to be promoted through education is something not sufficiently taken into consideration in previous studies.