Effect of Education Using the Virtual Social Networks on Promoting Women's Self-Efficacy in Preventing Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of education through the Telegram network on increasing the self-efficacy of women in preventing osteoporosis. The present study is a semi-experimental research with pre-test post-test with randomized control group design, which was conducted in 2017 among 60 women referring to the health centers of Yazd surrounding. The subjects were selected by random cluster sampling and assigned to intervention and control groups. The research instrument was a two-part questionnaire, including demographic information and self-efficacy questions. After completing the questionnaires, a package of educational messages was sent to the intervention group via the Telegram channel, but the control group did not receive any education. A month later, the questionnaires were completed again and the data were analyzed by SPSS18 software, using paired and independent t-test as well as Chi-square test. After intervention, the mean score of self-efficacy increased in intervention group compared to control group (p<0.001). Also, the mean of self-efficacy score increased after intervention in the intervention group and decreased in the control group (p<0.001). In the intervention group, the mean score of self-efficacy questions regarding the ability to use calcium and vitamin D supplements (p=0.032), exposure to sunlight for 15 minutes (p=0.005), and avoiding carbonated beverages (p=0.001) was significantly higher after intervention than before. Education through the Telegram on osteoporosis can be effective in promoting the self-efficacy of women in preventing osteoporosis.