title: Impact of Education Based on Theory of Planned Behavior: An Investigation into Hypertension-Preventive Self-care Behaviors in Iranian Girl Adolescent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since risk factors of hypertension are formed during adolescent period and regarding that attitudes change occurs more easily in these ages, the present paper aimed to evaluate the impact of education based on the theory of planned behavior in hypertension prevention behaviors in female adolescent students.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this quasi-experimental study, 160 girls of 12-16 yr old (80 in each case and control group), who had not been educated in prevention of hypertension over the recent three months, participated. Four schools in Tehran were selected based on cluster sampling method during two stages. The education was provided based on the theory of planned behavior in two sections (nutrition and physical activity) in four sessions. Data gathered before and after education through a two-part valid and reliable questionnaire. The results were analyzed based on SPSS software, version 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of independent t-test showed in the nutrition section, attitude (P=0.000), subjective norm (P=0.025), perceived control (P=0.016) and behavioral intention (P=0.025); significantly increased. About physical activity, except subjective norm (P=0.219), the mean score of the attitude (P=0.001), perceived control (P=0.000) and behavioral intention (P=0.000) revealed a significant difference between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education based on the theory of planned behavior affects the intention of preventive behaviors of hypertension in female adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pooreh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hosseini Nodeh
keywords: Health education; Hypertension; Theory of planned behavior; adolescent behavior