title: The effectiveness of education using the health belief model in preventing osteoporosis among female students.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine the impact of education using the Health Belief Model on preventing osteoporosis among female students. This interventional study (quasi-experimental) was performed on 45 female students aged 15-16 years old who resided in a town near Tehran. The females participated in a threeweek educational programme based on the Health Belief Model. The data collection instrument was a validated and reliable questionnaire in five sections: demographics, knowledge, Health Belief Model constructs, physical activity and consumption of foods containing calcium. The mean scores of students' knowledge were significantly different before and after the educational intervention (P < 0.05). The mean scores of some Health Belief Model structures changed significantly after the intervention (P < 0.05). Also post-intervention, physical activity increased (P = 0.041) but calcium intake did not. The use of an educational intervention on osteoporosis seems to improve knowledge and health beliefs and may positively impact physical activity-related behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Health Education Department, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanaeinasab
authors.affiliation: Health Education Department, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tavakoli
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karimizarchi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Z Haji
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.affiliation: Health Education Department, School of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farokhian
authors.affiliation: Health Research Centre, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: F Rahmati
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Najarkolaei