Effect of Osteoporosis Prevention Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of Adolescent Girl Students in Kermanshah City

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disorder among the women. Primary prevention is the easiest and cheapest way to deal with this condition. So, it is important to educate about osteoporosis risk factors and preventive behaviors during adolescence. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of osteoporosis prevention education on knowledge, attitude and practice of adolescent girl students in Kermanshah city. We performed this quasi experimental research in 118 adolescent girl students in Kermanshah (2014). Participants were selected with multistage cluster sampling among guidance schools of the city. They were allocated randomly to intervention (n=53) and control group (n=65). We collected data by a four part questionnaire: demographic information, knowledge, attitude and behavior about osteoporosis prevention. Data were analyzed in SPSS-19 using T-test, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square and Pearson’s correlation. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice displayed no significant difference between case and control group at pre-intervention (P>0.05). But, averages of knowledge and attitude increased significantly in the training group after performing educational program (P<0.005). Although the behavior mean had no significant change in two group at post- intervention (P>0.05). Educating about osteoporosis prevention led to promote knowledge and attitude of adolescent girl students in Kermanshah. However, this training had no influence on behavior. It is necessary to consider this problem in designing educational intervention in this target group.