The effectiveness of a nail-biting prevention program among primary school students

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a program called Do Not Bite Your Nails, Cut Your Nails, which is based on a health promotion model to change the nail-biting habit among primary school students. Design and methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using the pre- and post-test and interrupted time series design. The study sample included 299 students. Nurse observation form and nail follow-up chart were used to evaluate behavioral outcomes. This program was conducted under the guidance of school nurses and lasted 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using McNemar and Cochran Q tests. Results: The number of those who selected yes for I cut my nails this weekend and I didn't bite my nails today increased. However, the number of the students that selected yes for I pulled out my nails, I pulled out and ate, I pulled out my nail skin, My cuticle bled today, and My nails hurt today decreased significantly and statistically compared with pretest, first and second observation, and post-test (P < 0.001). The rate of the students with minimum one abnormal finger was 83.9% according to observations, and 6% following the intervention (P < 0.001). New insights were provided into the program to diminish nail-biting habit. Practice implications: The program significantly reduced the nail-biting rate among primary school students. The nurse that implement this program will be able to do a comprehensive evaluation of students' nail-biting habits, perform solution-focused interventions, and prevent advanced complications that might develop in connection to nail-biting. Thus, the effectiveness of nursing implementations will improve in the prevention of nail-biting habit, early diagnosis, and changing students' habits. Do Not Bite Your Nails, Cut Your Nails program can be applied again in different schools.