The effect of health education program on knowledge, attitude and performance in male primary school students regarding Tinea Capitis in Chabahar

In many parts of the world Tinea Capitis is a public health problem, especially in primary school children. The control of the disease is dependent on patient's education for increasing their knowledge and health. The aim of this study was to evaluate on knowledge, attitude and performance in male primary school students regarding Tinea Capitis in Chabahar in 2007-2008. In this quasi-experimental (case – control) study, 115 primary school students were randomly selected from two primary school in the city of Chabahar. Students were assigned into two groups. Tools and data collection methods were included: questionnaire, check list and laboratory samples of scalp and hair. At the beginning of the research, a pre-test was performed on the students and according to the data obtained, an educational program were prepared and was performed for experimental group. Post-test was done after two months. Data was analyzed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. The findings showed a significant increase in the knowledge, attitude, performance in experimental group (P<0.001). In addition, experimental group demonstrated a significant decrease in Tinea Capitis (P<0.01). The results of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between Tinea Capitis and weight, type of skin and parent's education (P<0.05). The results of this research show that the risk of Tinea Capitis transmission is a public health problem and health education is a suitable response to this problem.