The impact of lecture and educational package methods in knowledge and attitude of teenage girls on puberty health

Introduction: Necessity of implementation of constant health education programs for teenage girls, and choosing the appropriate educational method is essential in successful training. The aim of this study was to compare two educational methods (lecture – educational package) in promoting the knowledge and attitude of adolescent girls on puberty health. Methods: In an interventional study, 200 teenage – girl students were randomly assigned to two parallel groups. Their knowledge and attitude concerning puberty health was assessed by a questionnaire. After pretest, one group received educational package and the other one participated in a 2-hour lecture. One month later, both groups were assessed by the same questionnaires and the effects were assessed by comparing the student’s knowledge, attitude on puberty health. T and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: According to the results, mean of post test, scores of knowledge and attitude were significantly higher in both groups than those before intervention (P<0.001).Difference in the mean of post test scores of knowledge in lectured group were more than the differences in package group (P<0.001), but the mean score of post test for attitude in package group showed no significant increase. In this case the educational package was more effective than lecture method in promoting attitude. Conclusion: The result indicated that both methods were effective in improving girl’s knowledge and attitude on puberty health. Lecture method was more effective in promoting knowledge than educational package. In attitude, educational package was more effective than lecture presentation.