The impact of training through the telegram's virtual network on promoting women's knowledge and perceptions in preventing osteoporosis

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of training through the Telegram network on increasing the knowledge and perceptions of women in preventing osteoporosis. Methods: This study was an educational intervention, pretest and posttest type with randomized control group. Sixty women who referred to the marginal health centers of Yazd were randomly selected and assigned to intervention and control groups. After completing the questionnaires, a package of educational messages was sent to the intervention group through the Telegram group. A month later, the questionnaires were completed again, and the data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software and Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney test. Results: The mean age of participants in intervention and control groups was 30.46 ± 5.71 and 29.93 ± 5.02, respectively. The findings showed that the median score of knowledge (3 scores, P= 0.001) and subscales of women's beliefs (perceived sensitivity [1 score, P= 0.046], perceived severity [1 score, P= 0.001], perceived benefits [1.5 scores, P= 0.031], and cues to action [6 scores, P= 0.000]) increased significantly after intervention in the intervention group. The median score of knowledge was significantly higher than the control group (4 scores, P= 0.000). Conclusions: Use of Telegram training and virtual training spaces is effective in promoting women's knowledge and perceptions in the prevention of osteoporosis and contributes to the advancement of women's health beliefs. Therefore, the adoption of this type of training is recommended to overcome the limitations of traditional education in the prevention of osteoporosis.