Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing worldwide. Implementing educational programs is an important step in prevention of chronic diseases in the community setting. This study was conducted to assess the effect of educational program based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) on the osteoporosis preventive behaviors in middle-aged individuals. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 64 middle-aged individuals presenting to primary care centers. A researcher-made questionnaire developed according to "a guide for compiling and analyzing the questionnaire based on TPB" was used for data collection. Random block sampling was applied to assign participants to control and intervention groups after ensuring the validity and reliability. An educational program on osteoporosis prevention was conducted in six educational sessions based on the TPB constructs for the intervention group in primary care centers. Control group received routine education about lifestyle changes including osteoporosis by primary care centers. Eight weeks after the intervention, the questionnaires were completed again and the data were analyzed using the SPSS V16 software. RESULTS: Independent t-test found no significant difference in the mean score of knowledge, osteoporosis preventive behavior, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention between intervention and control groups before intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, however, a significant difference was found in the mean score of knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention between the cases in intervention and control groups (P < 0.05). In addition, based on repeated measurement ANOVA, the intervention had a significant effect on knowledge, preventive behaviors, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that implementation of an educational intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior significantly increased the knowledge along with all constructs of TPB in osteoporosis preventive behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017081735647N2 (11/10/2017).