Effect of puberty health education through reliable sources on health behaviors of girls

The main purpose of this study was comparative analysis of the effect of puberty health education through reliable sources of puberty education on heath behaviors of girl students of the guidance school in one of residential towns of Tehran, district 1. This research is a quasi experimental study of field trial type. Population and the studied samples were all female middle school students of the second grade (132 students) of public schools located in one of residential town of Tehran. At first, the researcher-made questionnaire was completed by students. Then, with an identical educational program, all students were instructed. Curriculum was implemented by face to face educational method and discussion and debate technique during single 2.5 hours session for each group. Three months after the end of educational program, questionnaires were completed by students again. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests, paired T, Chi square and ANOVA. There was no significant difference among total mean scores of health behaviors in pre intervention phase, but, there was significant difference in three groups in post intervention phase (p > 0.05). Also, the difference was significant in comparing the pre and post scores of each group (p > 0.05 mothers group, p > 0.001 teachers group, p > 0.001 nurses group). Education through health nurse is more effective than instruction through mothers and teachers and leads to improvement and promotion of teenage girls’ health behavior.