Effect of a teaching intervention based on planned behavior theory on female nurses' preventive behaviors towards the...

Examine the effect of a teaching intervention based on planned behavior theory on female nurses' preventive behaviors toward osteoporosis.

In this quasi-experimental study, 100 female nurses working at two hospitals affiliated with Jahrom University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran were place in the intervention and control groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included demographic information and constructs of planned behavior theory. Data were collected in three phases: pretest, posttest one month after the teaching intervention, and posttest two months after the teaching intervention. Four sessions of 45-60 min training program were held within the period of a month for the experimental group at classrooms equipped with a video projector and whiteboard. No intervention was given to the control group.

The findings showed that the intervention and control groups were similar in terms of demographic variables before the intervention. There were significant differences in the means of attitude, abstract norms, behavioral intent, and preventive behavior in the intervention group compared to the control group one and two months after the teaching intervention (p<0.05). However, the mean perceived control of behavior did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups (p=0.15). In the control group, the means of attitude, abstract norms, behavioral intent, and behavior did not differ significantly regarding osteoporosis prevention one and two months after the intervention compared to before the teaching intervention (p>0.05). The intervention had small effects on attitudes (Partial eta squared: η²p = 0.025 to 0.047), moderate effects on perceived behavioral control (η²p = 0.038 to0.054) and behavioral intention (η²p = 0.116 to 0.126), large effects on abstract norms (η²p = 0.282 to 0.295), and very large effects on behavior (η²p = 0.365 to 0.498).

According to the results of this study, planned behavior theory may influence the preventive behavior of osteoporosis in female nurses. Therefore, this theory could serve as a framework for designing and conducting teaching interventions to prevent osteoporosis and promote health in women.