Effects of Integrated Health Education Program on knowledge, attitude and practical approaches of female students in Bojnurd secondary schools towards dietary regimen

Knowledge of appropriate nutrition during growth period could prevent from many Diseases in middle-age. Considering the importance of health education to students; the purpose of this study was to determine the education on nutritional behaviors of girl students in Bojnord secondary schools, which was performed in 2009-2010. This research was a quasi-experimental study in which the female student's knowledge, attitude and practice about nutrition were analyzed through four-part questionnaire. In order to accomplish this, two secondary schools in Bojnurd were selected and students were randomly divided into control and intervention groups. After the implementation of health education program in the intervention group, the effect of the education program on student's knowledge about nutrition, attitude and practice was assessed independent and paired T-test. Findings showed that after the education, the average score of knowledge in students of intervention group reached to 8.9±1.1 which was 6.2±1.1 before education, the attitude reached to 8.3±1.3 which was 5.6±1.3 before education and their practice reached to 6.8±1.3 which was 5.0±1.3 before education. The results indicated the positive role of Health Education programs on promotion of student's knowledge about nutritional, attitude and practice. Thus, for promotion of nutritional behaviors, it is necessary to take account of these programs.