A randomized controlled trial of health education program in increasing knowledge of osteoporosis

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the 2 modules of health education program, first is composed of lecture and self-study from handbook and leaflet, second is composed of only self-study from handbook and leaflet, in conducting the knowledge about osteoporosis and its prevention in gynecologic patients 40-50 years of age at gynecology clinic of Lerdsin Hospital. Study design: Randomized controlled trial design (RCT). Setting : Lerdsin Hospital, Department of Medical Service, Ministry of Public Health. Research methodology: Thirty eight cases of premenopausal gynecologic patients 40-50 years of age at gynecology clinic who fulfilled eligible criteria was enrolled by systemic random sampling. By block randomization process, the patients were divided into 2 groups, first group received lecture and handbook with leaflet about osteoporosis and its prevention for self-study for 7 days (program I), second group received only handbook with leaflet about osteoporosis and its prevention for self-study for 7 days (program II). Both groups were evaluated for knowledge by pretest and posttest. Results : Basic characteristics of these 2 groups were not different in term of age, marital status, education level, occupation, income, underlying disease, past history of the health, menarche, duration of menstruation, gravidity, parity. Mean of the total pretest scores from both programs were not significantly different (p=0.942, 95%CI=-2.801, 3.011), but mean of the total posttest scores from both programs were significantly different (p<0.001, 95%CI=4.682, 12.791) and first group had higher scores than second groups. When compared between mean of the total pretest and posttest scores, there were statistical significantly different in both groups (p<0.001, 95%CI=-16.056, -12.049 and p<0.001, 95%CI=-6.730, -4.112). Its mean that both programs could conduct the knowledge in both groups of the patients, program I could conduct more knowledge outcome than program II. When compared between the efficacy of these 2 programs, program I could conduct the patients to have moderate and high level of knowledge for 78.95% from all patients, while program II could conduct the patients to have moderate and high level of knowledge for only 36.84%. Program I was statistical significantly different from program II. (Z = 3, p<0.05) Conclusion: Both health education programs could conduct the knowledge about osteoporosis and its prevention in the patients. Program I could conduct more knowledge than program II and could conduct the patients to have moderate and high level of knowledge for 78.95% from all patients.