A comparative study of the effect of two educational methods of motivational interviewing and peers on self-efficacy of female high school students in relation to puberty health

BACKGROUND: Adolescents experience many physical and psychological changes during adolescence. Not paying attention to the issue of girls’ puberty may have a negative impact on their mental health and self-efficacy in future. The aim of this study was to compare the two methods of motivational interviews and peers on puberty health of female high school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed semi-experimental intervention on 334 high school students in 2019 through multi-stage randomization. Data using two demographic questionnaires and Scherrer self-efficacy questionnaire in three stages (pre-test, immediately after the test and one month after the test). It was collected that in the motivational interview group, 5 training sessions were presented, and in the peer group, only one training session was taught to the peers and the control group was not trained in any intervention. RESULTS: Immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention, the two intervention groups had significantly better scores in self-efficacy compared to the control group (P = 0.001). The mean score of self-efficacy in the control group in the three time periods before, immediately, and one month after the intervention, respectively (50.75 ± 5.322, 50.45 ± 5.34, 50.45 ± 5.37), in the motivational interview group (50.56 ± 5.95, 53.63 ± 5.83, 56.03 ± 6.49) and in the peer group (50.10 ± 5.62, 54.40 ± 4.28, 59.19 ± 4.43) was. Moreover, there were significant differences in self-efficacy scores within and between the groups by time (P < 0.001) in intervention groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that puberty health education increases students’ self-efficacy, that correct information should be conveyed by peers and motivational interview, and motivational interview is more effective.