Predicting healthy behaviors of girl adolescents based on behavioral intention model

Puberty is most important stage of life with physical and psychological changes. Preparing adolescent girls for puberty should be planned based on their educational needs. This study was conducted to predict health behaviors of adolescent girls during puberty based on behavioral intention model. In this cross-sectional study, 200 high school girl students were surveyed. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select the participants. A questionnaire was designed based on BIM used for data collection including demographic data, knowledge and attitude and subjective norms. The mean score was 56.23±2.67 for knowledge and 34.29±5.77 for attitude. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude (r=0.477). The analysis of subjective norms showed that most subjective norms were influenced by teachers (15.63%) at school and by mothers (67.18%) at home. an‎d should be special attention to three factors of knowledge, attitudes, and subjective norms to help girls perform health behaviors. Furthermore, health education about puberty should continue in high schools.