| Background: Adolescence is a critical stage of growth and development. That is associated with changes in
body shape and appearance. Issues such as irregular menstrual periods, amenorrhea, and menstrual cycle are
major issues in women's health. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of physical puberty
health based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) among female adolescents.
Methods: This analytical cross sectional study was conducted in welfare boarding centers in Tehran, Iran. Data
were collected in 2011 by a structured and valid questionnaire. Total 61 female adolescents (age range: 12-19
yrs) participated in this study from welfare boarding centers in Iran, Tehran, by using convenience sampling
method. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, health belief model constructs and physical
puberty health behaviors gathered by using interview. A series of univariate general linear models were used to
assess the relationship between puberty health and health belief model constructs.
Results: According to the results of this study there were positive significant relationships between perceived
susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action and increased puberty health in female adolescents
(p<0.05). Perceived benefits, perceived barriers and cues to action were predictors of physical puberty
health behaviors.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the study to improve the physical Puberty health behaviors of female adolescents
should make them aware of the benefits of health behaviors, and remove or reform the perceived barriers
of health behaviors. Also, the appropriate information resources should be introduced for obtaining information
about puberty health. |