Background & Aim: Osteoporosis is considered as a silent disease. Having knowledge and correct health beliefs can be effective on preventive behaviors in osteoporosis disease. This study aimed to determine the impact of educational intervention on knowledge, perceptions and self-efficacy among adolescent girls.

Materials & Methods: this quasi-experimental study was performed on 45 adolescent girls from one town of Tehran. The data collection instrument was a validated and reliable questionnaire in 3 sections: demographic health belief model component and self-efficacy that was used before & after the education. The educational intervention based on health belief model with direct and indirect methods was conducted. The data was analyzed by SPSS 15 software and we used paired t-test for statistical analysis of the data.

Results: The findings of this study and comparing the means showed a significant difference between the mean scores of students^, Knowledge before and after the educational intervention (p<0/05) and so also on the mean scores of health belief model structures, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers of physical activity, self efficacy of calcium intake, self- efficacy of physical activity before and after the intervention (p<0/05).

Conclusion: The educational intervention based on health belief model, may lead to increased knowledge, perceived susceptibility, increased elimination of perceived barriers of physical activity, increase in the self efficacy of calcium intake and physical activity. Therefore in order to prevent osteoporosis, we suggest the educational intervention based on health belief model in promoting knowledge, perceptions, and self-efficacy.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2013: 24(3): 169 ISSN: 1027-3727