Predictors of puberty-related health behaviors among girl adolescents in Chahar Mahal Bakhtiari.

Abstract

It is important to recognize the various dimensions of puberty and planning for the education of adolescents and their parents who are on the verge of this course. The present study aimed to investigate predictors of puberty health behavior in adolescent girls. This correlational study was carried out on 280 female students from the eighth and ninth grades of high school who were selected by multi-stage random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was assessed using the face and content validity method (Panel view of the experts) and its reliability was tested by test-retest and internal consistency. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression at a significant level less than 0.05. Regression results with stepwise analysis showed that demographic variables other than the age of students (p=0.031) had no effect on the adoption of puberty health behaviors, but their students' knowledge and their attitude were good predictors of behaviors Health is puberty. Among the underlying and psychological variables, was the strongest prediction (Beta=0.48). Attitude with knowledge and age was 34.9% of variance for explaining puberty health behaviors in adolescents. Considering the power of predictors such as knowledge and attitude, it is possible to develop puberty health behaviors by increasing knowledge of students and providing correct and appropriate information to them and improving attitudes.