The Effect of Education by Peers and Health Personnel on the Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs in Adolescents with Nephrotic Syndrome

Osteoporosis is one of the consequences of chronic diseases such as nephrotic syndrome in adolescents, especially in those undergoing glucocorticoid therapies. The present study aimed to determine and compare the effect of education by peers and health personnel on the prevention of osteoporosis in the adolescents with nephrotic syndrome. The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 54 adolescents with nephrotic syndrome who were randomly divided into two groups of peers and health personnel. The osteoporosis education program was based on the health belief model. Two questionnaires were completed by the patients to assess their knowledge and health beliefs regarding osteoporosis before, immediately after, and 1 month after the educational intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS-15 using independent and paired t-test and RMANOVA.The mean score of knowledge and health beliefs was significantly increased in both groups immediately after the intervention (P<0.05). However, the scores declined in both groups with a significant decrease in some parts one month after the intervention. No significant difference was found between the peers and health personnel regarding osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs (P>0.05). The results of the present study revealed the significant effect of education, carried out by both peers and health personnel, on the osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs. Also, peer education was a cost-effective and feasible method for increasing the adolescents’ osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs.