ARTICLE INFO

Article Type

Original Research

Authors

Panahi   Rahman (1)
Ramezankhani   Ali (2)
Tavousi   Mahmoud (3)
Osmani   Fereshteh (4)
Karami Jouyani   Afsaneh (1)
Niknami   Shamsaddin (*1)






(1) Health Education Department, Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
(2) Public Health Department, Health & Safety Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
(3) Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran
(4) Biostatistic Department, Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Correspondence

Address: Tarbiat Modares University, Nasr Bridge, Jalal-Al-Ahmad Highway, Tehran, Iran
Phone: 02182883549
Fax: 02182884555
niknamis@modares.ac.ir

Article History

Received:   May  9, 2018
Accepted:   September 6, 2018
ePublished:   September 22, 2018

ABSTRACT

Aims Considering the increase in smoking among university students and the effect of health literacy on the adoption of preventive behaviors, this study aimed at determining the effect of educational intervention on health literacy and adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among students.
Materials & Methods The present study was a quasi-experimental interventional study that was conducted in 2016 among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. In this study, 130 students (65 in each intervention and control group) were selected, using random multi-stages sampling method and entered the study. Educational intervention was performed using Telegram application and educational messages were sent to the students of the intervention group in 6 sessions. The data gathering tools were demographic and background characteristics questionnaire, Health Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA), and smoking preventive behavior questionnaire, which were completed in 3 stages including before, immediately, and 3 months after the intervention. The data were collected and analyzed, using SPSS 16 software.÷
Findings Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between demographic and background variables, underlying level of health literacy, and adoption of preventive behaviors in both groups (p>0.05). After the intervention, the mean scores of health literacy and adoption of smoking preventive behaviors increased significantly in experimental group compared to control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion Educational intervention through Telegram application is effective in promoting health literacy and the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors among university students.


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