The Effect of Education Based on the Health Belief Model on Osteoporosis Prevention Behaviors in Female High School Students

Osteoporosis is one of the most common metabolic bone diseases and is the silent epidemic of this era..
This study evaluates the effect of education that is based on the health belief model on promoting osteoporosis prevention behaviors among female high school students..
In this two-group interventional study, 172 students age 11 to 14 years (experimental group = 86 subjects; control group = 86 subjects) were randomly selected from Khorramshahr high schools using multistage sampling. Data were collected before the intervention and two months after its completion using a researcher-made questionnaire with four parts: demographic questions, knowledge questions, questions related to the health belief model constructs, and questions regarding preventive behaviors. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22 software and by applying the Mann-Whitney test, the analysis of covariance procedure, and the Wilcoxon statistical test..
After the intervention, significant statistical differences were seen between the experimental and control groups in mean scores of knowledge, health belief model constructs, and preventive behaviors..
The education based on health belief model plays an important role in increasing knowledge and improving osteoporosis prevention behaviors in students..