The Effect of Educational Intervention on Health Literacy and Nutritional Performance of Female High School Students in Zahedan

Background and Objective: Adolescence is a complex, sensitive and multidimensional period in the human development process. Nutrition quality is the main factors that have an essential role in the growth and maturity of adolescents. Adolescent’s health literacy is an importance because individuals with high levels of health literacy have better health outcomes than individuals with limited health literacy. Materials and Methods: The present study is an experimental intervention that was conducted on ۱۵-۱۸ years old female adolescents studying in high schools of Zahedan, Iran. The data collection tools in this study consisted of three questionnaires. Health literacy data were collected by HELMA questionnaire and its validity has been proven by Cronbach's alpha coefficient of ۰. ۹۵. Educational posters, booklets (designed by the researcher) and PowerPoint were used to conduct training programs during ۳ sessions of ۴۵ to ۶۰ minutes. A post-test was carried out in the control and intervention groups One month after the last session. The SPSS software version ۲۶ was used to analyze the data.  Results: The results showed a significant difference between health literacy and nutritional performance of students in the intervention and control groups after the intervention (P-value <۰.۰۰۱), therefore; that educational intervention increased the health literacy and nutritional performance in students. A significant and positive relationship was found between students' health literacy and nutritional performance (P-value <۰.۰۵). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it is necessary for policymakers and planners to improve the health literacy of adolescents and students through intervention programs to promote health literacy, awareness, attitude, and nutritional behaviors in adolescent’s population.

Keywords:

Health Literacy , Nutritional performance , Students , Adolescents