The effect of structured health promotion education given to adolescents on health literacy and health-promoting behaviors

Abstract

PurposeThis study was conducted to determine the effect of structured health promotion education given to adolescents on health literacy and health promotion level. Design and methodsThe research was designed according to the pretest-posttest control group model and conducted using the quasi-experimental method. The population of the study consisted of students studying in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades of a secondary school. A total of 191 students were assigned to the intervention group and the control group. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale, and the School Age Health Literacy Scale. Structured Health Promotion Education consisting of six modules was given to the intervention group. The control group did not receive any intervention. ResultsOf the students, 33.9% were in the 8th grade, 76.6% were born in Turkey, 31.6% had a father and mother who were secondary school graduates, 72.5% were from moderate-income families, and 83% had no chronic health problems. The groups' health literacy and adolescent health-promoting behaviors pretest mean scores before the intervention were homogeneous (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the groups' health literacy and adolescent health-promoting behaviors posttest mean scores after the intervention (p < 0.05). ConclusionsWhile structured health promotion education was found to increase health literacy and health-promoting behaviors, nutrition, stress management, life satisfaction, and health responsibility behaviors in adolescents, it did not affect social support and exercise behaviors. Implications for practiceNurses should provide training to increase students' health literacy and health-promoting behaviors.