The effect of Health Belief Model-based health education programme on coping with premenstrual syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

The aim of this randomised controlled study was to determine the effect of Health Belief Model (HBM)-based health education programme in late adolescent period on coping with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Thirty women both in the intervention and control groups were included. The HBM-based education programme was applied to cope with PMS. The intervention and control groups were followed up for three cycles in terms of PMS symptoms. The data were collected by a questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale.

There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test mean scores and the first, second and third follow-up mean scores; and between the first follow-up mean score and the second and the third follow-up mean scores in the repeated measurements of the intervention group (p <.05). The mean scores of the intervention group were found to be significantly lower than the control group in the second and third follow-ups (p < .05).

In conclusion, HBM-based health education was effective for coping with PMS. It is recommended for dealing with PMS to use HBM-based education programmes, to motivate the students for life style changes, and to identify the obstacles and the benefits perceived about PMS.