Is peer education more effective than classical training for oral health behavior

Abstract

Background and Objective: this study aimed to comparison of two educational methods to improve oral health behaviors among female student.Methods: The quasi-experimental study. 120 fourth grade female students of 6th region of Tehran, Iran were randomly selected and allocated to group A (received oral health education from a health educator, n=30) and group B (received the same education through the peer education approach, n=30). Data were collected via a valid Tool. After pre-test an educational intervention were implemented on both group. Intervention set up for three sessions per session 1 hour of training. Post-test was performed after one month later using the same questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by independent t- test and chi square using spssver16.Results: The average mean score of the knowledge and practice in both group after educational intervention significantly increased (P<0.001). Mean scores of the attitude also increased in both groups after intervention, but this increase was significant only in child to child group (P<0.001). The mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice between the two groups showed that child to child education has been effective than Classic education.Conclusion: Oral health education using active learning methods and the participant involvement is recommended.