Effects of Brief Intervention on The Osteoporosis-Related Knowledge of Middle School Girl Students

Osteoporosis-related fractures are one of the most common causes of disabilities in the world as well as in Iran that their incidence is more common among women and old persons. Considering the importance of preventing osteoporosis، especially in women، this study was performed to determine the effect of brief osteoporosis education on knowledge of the first، second and third grades middle school girl students. Methods & Materials: This experimental study (case-control design) was carried out in 2012. The convenience sample included 214 students (the first، second and third grades) were randomly divided to case (111) and control (103) groups. The data collection tools were standard questionnaires that 2 times (before and 2 weeks after education) were completed by the students under study. After pre-test، 1 educational session in the case group were performed. Finally، the data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software and statistical tests (independent t-test، paired t-test، Mann-Whitney and etc). Participation of students was voluntary and with informed consent.

Results of the study showed that there were no significant differences between the scores of knowledge in two groups before the intervention; however، after the intervention there was a significant difference in the levels of knowledge between the case and control groups (p<0. 001). The same situation was observed in comparing students of grade 1، 2، and 3 between the two groups، separately. Discussion &

According to the results، it could be concluded that the brief program was effective on increasing knowledge of the students who had limited information. Thus، short effective interventions but with low costs could be very helpful in improving the awareness of students on osteoporosis and other similar problems.