Predictors of Knowledge and Practice of Girl Students about Puberty Health

Background: Puberty and its consequence changes are one of the most important events of each person's life. Knowledge and practice about puberty health lead to successful passage of this period. This study was aimed to determine factors predicting the knowledge and practice of girl students about puberty health in Tabriz high schools. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on 364 students in seventh and eighth grades in 2015. The participants were selected using random cluster sampling. Their knowledge, practice and socio-demographic characteristics about puberty health were collected using self-completed questionnaires which is standardized questionnaire for Iran society. General Linear Model was used for determining the socio-demographic predictors of knowledge and practice of students about puberty health. Results: The mean score of students' knowledge was 8.26±2.21 (in the range of 0-15 scores) and the mean score of students' practice was 92.3±10.0 (in the range of 32-128 scores). Fathers' education (P=0.023) and previous obtained information (P=0.001) were knowledge predictors. Adequacy of information, the kind of family and the preferred source of information were practice predictors about puberty health (P=0.03). Conclusion: Regarding the mean score of students’ knowledge and practice and their direct relationship some factors such as father’s education, it is suggested to increase the knowledge of parents especially mothers about puberty health by health providers at schools and the related organization using in present learning pamphlets, sessions and classes.