Effect of nutritional education through lecture and pamphlet methods on breakfast consumption behavior among primary school girls in Ahvaz

Abstract

Purpose and Background: Nutrition is an important factor in the health and educational success of students. Breakfast is a main meal and skipping it would constitute a significant reason for pre- school children’s academic failure as well as pre-school children’s growth disorders. This study aims to compare the effects of lecture and pamphlet educational methods on the knowledge, attitude, and performance of the 4th and 5th grade primary school girls in Ahvaz regarding their breakfast consumption behavior. Methodology: The three group intervention method was implemented. The 165 students selected for the study were classified into three groups (55 students in each group), namely, Intervention Group 1 (lecture), Intervention Group 2 (pamphlet), and Control Group. First, the research questionnaires comprising 15 questions on knowledge domain, 12 questions on attitude, and 11 questions on performance were completed. Four educational sessions were held for the intervention groups within two weeks. After three months, the second phase questionnaires were completed. The obtained data were subsequently analyzed through SPSS 16. Findings: The mean knowledge scores obtained before and after intervention in the three groups were as follows: - Lecture Group: Before: 21; After: 27.9 - Pamphlet Group: Before: 21.7; After: 25.6 - Control Group: Before: 43.5; After: 42.9 The mean knowledge, attitude, and performance scores in the lecture and pamphlet groups were significantly greater than those in the control group (P>0.0001). Upon intervention, these scores were significantly greater in the lecture group as compared with the pamphlet group (P>0.0001).