[Comparing the effects of educational methods of group discussion and lecture on attitude and practice of health communicators on milk and its products in health centers of Ray city]

ABSTRACT

Educational methods such as group discussion and lecture may have different effects for various groups of people in every society. The focus of this study is to evaluate this effect on attitude and practice of health communicators on milk and its products. In this research 180 communicators were randomly placed in 3 separate groups of control, lecture, and group discussion. Relevant information was gathered through questionnaires on demographic specifications, attitude evaluation and practice. Prior to educational intervention the questionnaires were completed by all groups. The educational intervention as to lecture or group discussion was carried out for 45 minutes and the questionnaires were completed once more after the program. After one month, questionnaires of attitude and practice were completed by three groups again and the data was analyzed by t-test and one-sided variation analysis. The evaluation revealed the positive effect of educational intervention on attitude of the two groups, compared with the control group [P=0.002]. But there was no difference between group discussion and lecture group [P>0.05]. The results indicate a significant change in using group discussion on practice [P<0.05], but no significant effect on lecture