Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Abstract
Background: Puberty is one of the most critical periods in a female adolescents’ life. This
intervening study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational program for puberty health
on improving intermediate and high school female students’ knowledge in Birjand, Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this quasi‑experimental study, 325 female intermediate and high
school students were selected through randomized cluster sampling during several stages.
Then, researcher‑made questionnaire including 20 questions, each having one point regarding
puberty health, was distributed. After completion of the questionnaires were gathered. Following
this, under a systemic educational plan all intermediate and high school selected students were
given the same instruction by trained instructors. Instruction time for each meeting was estimated
1.5 hours. One month after the educational program and handing out the pamphlets in schools,
the previous questionnaires were again distributed among the students to fill out. At the end,
302 students who had filled out the questionnaires before and after intervention were studied.
Results: Out of 302 students, 151 were intermediate and 151 high school students. Knowledge
level among intermediate students was 5.03 ± 3.7 before intervention and was 10.8 ± 4.8 after
intervention. Among high school students, the scores were 4.1±2.3 and 8.7±3.8, respectively. There
was a significant difference between pre and post intervention stages in both groups (P < 0.001).
Furthermore, mean knowledge grade in all the students increased from 4.6 ± 3.1 before intervention
to 9.7 ± 4.4 after intervention (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Performing educational programs during
puberty has a crucial role in young girls’ knowledge increase. Since young girls often do not share
their problems with their parents and their peers during the period, instructional classes in schools
provide a good opportunity for them to present their problems and finding solutions.
Keywords
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