Revista de Enfermagem e Cuidados

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Pubertal Changes among Pre-Adolescent Boys: An Interventional Study in Rural Area in India

Abstract

Poonam Sheoran*, Manisha Rani, Yogesh Kumar and Navjyot Singh

Purpose: During puberty growth is rapid and confusing, especially compared to the relatively earlier period of childhood. The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitude regarding pubertal changes among pre–adolescent boys before and after the pubertal preparedness programme (PPP) in experimental and comparison/control group or control group. Methods: A Quasi experimental (non-equivalent comparison/control group pre-test post-test) design was adopted with 100 pre-adolescent boys (50 in each experimental and comparison/control/control group) of age 12-14 years, selected by purposive sampling from two different rural government schools of Ambala District. The Knowledge and attitude of both groups were assessed using structured knowledge questionnaire (KR-20=0.77) and 5 point likert scale (Cronbach’s alpha=0.76), respectively. On the same day of pre-test, pubertal Preparedness Programme (PPP) was administered only to the experimental group and on 12th day Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) reinforcement session was held only for experimental group. After 28 days, post-test was taken to both groups. Results: The computed t value of pre-test scores of knowledge and attitude of pre-adolescent boys were 1.96 vs. 1.75 respectively in experimental and comparison/control/control group which was found to be non-significant at 0.05 level of significance which shows that both group didn’t differ significantly in their knowledge and attitude before the administration of PPP intervention. Findings of unpaired ‘t’ value of post-test knowledge and attitude scores of pre-adolescent boys were 14.25 vs. 10.98 respectively in experimental and comparison/control/control group were found significant at 0.05 level of significance. Thus, knowledge and attitude of pre-adolescent boys were improved with PPP and FAQs session. Conclusion: PPP and FAQs (frequently asked questions) reinforcement session are effective in enhancing knowledge and developing favorable attitude among pre-adolescent boys.