Health Education Intervention Strategies Research Articles

Endline assessment of knowledge about sickle cell disease among the tribal community of Chhotaudepur district of Gujarat.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant public health concern in India, with one of the highest disability burdens worldwide. For the success of the disease prevention and control program that aims to reduce prevalence through health promotion and screening, the public's prior knowledge of the disease is important. Hence, this study was conducted to assess baseline knowledge of the disease and effects of health education and community mobilization program in the SCD endemic tribal community of Gujarat. This quasi-experimental study was conducted in three phases at Chhotaudepur district of Gujarat, India. Knowledge of the community was assessed through the administration of pretested quantitative questionnaire in 1646 and 1631 individuals respectively during formative and evaluation phases. Differences between the proportions of two phases were statistically assessed by chi-square tests. Despite 75.3% of respondents having heard of SCD before, only 20% could perceive the correct cause. It was improved by 42% post-intervention. During the evaluation, 83% respondents recognized the most common symptom of extreme pain, whereas 86.8% identified the correct diagnostic method. Seventy-seven percent respondents reported modern medicine as a treatment for SCD at endline. Knowledge and awareness about SCD were found inadequate in the community. However, health education intervention strategies effectively improved knowledge related to the disease and its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Hence, urgent action is required to incorporate community mobilization and awareness generation strategies to mitigate the disease burden.

Willingness to accept Covid 19 Vaccines in a Rural Community in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria

PurposeIn Nigeria, rural communities generally have poor access and utilization of health services including immunization services. In rural areas, household heads determine the utilization of health services including immunization. This study was conducted to determine the willingness to accept COVID-19 vaccine among household heads of a rural community in Kaduna State, Northwestern Nigeria.Methods & MaterialsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among all household heads in Anguwan Mangu in February 2021 using total population sampling. A pre-tested, electronic based, semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from household heads. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted at alpha level of significance set at p< 0.05ResultsThree hundred and thirty-three respondents participated in the study. Age range was 15 to 80 years. Mean age of the respondents was 35 years (±14.45). Only 55% (183/333) of the respondents were willing to accept COVID-19 vaccines. Major reasons for unwillingness to accept vaccines included; didn't feel the need to be vaccinated (4.5%), lack of trust in government (1.8%), belief that vaccine is used for population control (1.8%), belief that COVID-19 is not real (3%), and concerns over safety of the vaccines (1.8%). Household heads less than 50 years were more likely to accept the vaccines than those aged 50 and above (46% vs 41%) (p<0.592), those who were educated were more likely to accept the vaccines (50% vs 46%) (p<0.235), male household heads were more likely to accept vaccines than female household heads (66% vs 48%) (p<0.002).ConclusionAbout less than half of the respondents were unwilling to accept the COVID-19 vaccines when available mainly due to misconception about the vaccines. This could pose a major setback in efforts towards controlling the pandemic. It is recommended that Zaria LGA health department should design effective health education intervention strategies based on these misconceptions directed towards enlightening the populace in rural areas in order to improve acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines to fast track the control of the pandemic.

Analysis on health literacy of traditional Chinese medicine among residents in some areas of Hebei Province in 2019

Objective To understand the health literacy level of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) among residents in some areas(Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Hengshui) of Hebei Province, analyze the main influencing factors, and provide theoretical basis for formulating corresponding health education intervention strategies. Methods A total of 505 residents in some areas of Hebei Province were surveyed and analyzed from December 2019 to January 2020 through face-to-face administration and online questionnaires. Results There were totally 490 valid questionnaires, and the effectiveness was 97.03%. The overall holding rate of TCM health literary was 13.27%. The holding rate of five dimensions of TCM cultural knowledge, information comprehension ability, basic concepts, healthy lifestyle, and universally-accepted method was 44.08%, 35.92%, 28.78%, 16.53% and 5.31%,respectively. There was statistically significant difference in holding rate of TCM health literary among residents with different annual income(P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in holding rate of TCM cultural knowledge among residents in different location, educational level, and self-evaluation health status(all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in levels of universally-accepted method among residents with different occupations and annual family income last year(all P<0.05).Conclusion Residents in some areas of Hebei Province have a low level of TCM health literacy. It is necessary to strengthen cultural popularization and compilation of relevant textbooks, give full play to the advantages of the times and make use of new media technology for publicity and education, so as to further improve the level of TCM health literacy in some areas of Hebei Province.

Coping Strategies in Menopause Women: A Review

Menopause is one of the stages of life for women that cause a wide variety of symptoms, effects andlimitations. Menopause is described as a period of psychological difficulties that changes the life styleof women in multiple ways. Menopausal women require more information regarding different copingstrategies. The aim of this study was to review the coping strategies in menopause women. Method andMaterials: Menopausal women experiences the different symptoms. These symptoms can be subicidedby practising the healthy diet, healthy behaviour and through the exercise and yoga. Result: Accordingto research studies most interventions for menopause women have focused on educational intervention,exercise, healthy diet, healthy behaviour and yoga. Health education intervention strategy is one of thealternative strategies for improving women’s coping with menopause symptoms. Conclusion: Menopausalwomen face physiological and psychological problems, they also adopt coping strategies to overcome theseproblems

Oral and anal sexual practice and associated factors among preparatory school youths in Dire Dawa city administration, Eastern Ethiopia.

BackgroundHuman Immunodeficiency Virus greatly affects young peoples in developing countries, of which sexual transmission is the major route including vaginal, oral and anal sex. Understanding the full range of sexual behavior among young people, especially oral and anal sexual experience is very crucial to design appropriate intervention strategies. This study was to assess oral and anal sexual experience and associated factors among preparatory school youths in Dire Dawa city, Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsSchool based cross sectional study was conducted among 1067 school youths attending preparatory school. Systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and entered in to Epi-data version 3.3.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Descriptive and bivariate logistic regression was done. Variables in bivariate analysis with P< 0.25 were entered to multiple bivariate logistic regression analysis to determine predictor variables. P < 0.05 was declared as statistically significance and AOR with 95% CI used to assess strength of association.ResultsThe proportion of youths who reported having oral sex was 9% (88) and that of anal sex was 6.7% (66). Having multiple sexual partners was reported by 65.8% and 56.5% of youths who ever engaged in oral and anal sex respectively. From those who ever engaged to oral sex and anal sex 15.9% and 34.8% consistently used condom respectively. Oral sex practice was significantly associated with intimate partner ever engaged to oral sex practice (AOR = 4.53, 95% CI: 2.26–9.05), ever engaged to vaginal sex (AOR = 16.38, 95% CI: 7.22–37.19), older age (20-24years) (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.24–4.86), ever drinking alcohol (AOR = 2.11,95% CI:1.02–4.34), and ever smoke shisha (AOR = 2.85,95% CI:1.4–5.83). Similarly anal sex experience was significantly associated with intimate partner ever engaged to anal sex (AOR = 5.34, 95% CI: 4.2–26.98), ever engaged to vaginal sex (AOR = 10.64, 95% CI: 2.39–11.9), ever watching pornographic movies (AOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.45–10.29) and parental monitoring of youth’s sexual behavior (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.12–6.19).ConclusionsSignificant proportion of youths had engaged in oral and anal sexual practice and multiple sexual partners were common among youths for oral and anal sex. In the contrary consistent condom use was very poor. A combination of sexual health education intervention strategies should be implemented at family, school and community level.

Effects of Web-Based Educational Intervention on Self-Management in Kidney Recipients.

Information technology and the Internet are rapidly becoming effective tools for teaching. Selfmanagement skills are important for adaptation and long-term survival in kidney recipients. Web-based training may help patients develop self-management skills through information access. This literature review aimed to determine the effects of Web-based educational intervention on self-management in kidney recipients. The Internet supports effective health education intervention strategies by providing a learning environment that is always available. Medicine management, routine follow-up, awareness of the signs and symptoms of rejection, infection prevention, self-monitoring, physical activity, and nutrition are important during the posttransplant period. Another important component of achievement in related matters is the competence of individuals with their own self-management. Webbased training is beneficial for appointment follow-up, nutritional adaptation, and treatment of anxiety and depression. Web-based training allows kidney recipients to access information at any time and place; this information promotes proper self-management.

Development of a health education intervention strategy using an implementation research method to control taeniasis and cysticercosis in Burkina Faso

BackgroundTaeniasis and cysticercosis are two diseases caused by Taenia solium, a parasite transmitted between humans and pigs, leading to considerable economic loss and disabilities. Transmission of the parasite is linked to environmental and behavioural factors such as inadequate sanitation and hygiene, poor pig management, and consumption of infected pork. This study used implementation research method to design a health education intervention strategy for reducing T. solium infections in Burkina Faso, a country endemic for the parasite.MethodsEighteen group discussions were conducted with 8–18 participants each in three villages. In addition, structured interviews were conducted among 4 777 participants and 2 244 pig owners, who were selected through cluster random sampling in 60 villages of three provinces of Burkina Faso. Both approaches assessed knowledge and practices related to T. solium. The information obtained was used to develop a community-adapted health education intervention strategy to control taeniasis and cysticercosis in Burkina Faso.ResultsThe group discussions revealed that participants had a poor quality of life due to the diseases as well as inadequate access to latrines, safe water, and healthcare services. In addition, it was found that pig production was an important economic activity, especially for women. Furthermore, financial and knowledge constraints were important limitations to improved pig management and latrine construction. The survey data also showed that open defecation and drinking unboiled water were common behaviours, enhanced by a lack of knowledge regarding the transmission of the parasite, perceived financial barriers to the implementation of control measures, lack of public sensitization, as well as a lack of self-efficacy towards control of the parasite. Nevertheless, the perceived financial benefits of controlling porcine cysticercosis could be emphasized by an education program that discourages open defecation and encourages drinking safe water. The final intervention strategy included a Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) approach, as well as a 52-min film and an accompanying comic booklet.ConclusionsThe main problem in the study communities regarding the transmission of T. solium cysticercosis is the random disposal of human faeces, which can be contaminated with parasite eggs. Prevention of open defecation requires the building of latrines, which can be quite problematic in economically challenged settings. Providing the community with the skills to construct durable latrines using low-cost locally available materials would likely help to resolve this problem. Further studies are required to implement and evaluate the T. solium control strategy developed in this study.

Comparative Study of Pseudo-continuous Anal Sexual Practice among Preparatory School Youths in Dire Dawa City Administration Eastern Ethiopia

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus highly affected young peoples in developing countries, of which sexual transmission was the major route including vaginal, oral and anal sex. Understanding the full range of sexual behavior among young people especially anal sexual experience is very crucial to design appropriate intervention strategies.Objective: To assess oral and anal sexual experience and associated factors among preparatory school youths in Dire Dawa city, Eastern Ethiopia, 2016.Methods: School based cross sectional study was conducted among 1067 school youths attending preparatory schools. Systematic random sampling method was used to select study participants. Data were collected using selfadministered questionnaire and entered in to Epi-data version 3.3.1 and exported to SPSS 20 for analysis. Descriptive and bivariate logistic regression was done. Variables in bivariate analysis with P<0.25 were entered to multiple logistic regression analysis to determine predictor variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significance and AOR with 95% CI used to assess strength of association.Results: The proportion of youths who reported having anal sex was 6.7% (66). Having multiple sexual partnerships was reported by 56.5% of youths who ever engaged in anal sex. From those who ever engaged to anal sex, 34.8% consistently used condom. Anal sex experience was significantly associated with intimate partner ever engaged to anal sex (AOR=5.34, 95% CI: 4.2-26.98), ever engaged to vaginal sex (AOR=10.64, 95% CI: 2.39-11.9), ever watching pornographic movies (AOR=3.86, 95% CI: 1.45-10.29) and parental monitoring of youth’s sexual behavior (AOR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.12-6.19).Conclusion: Significant proportion of youths had engaged in anal sexual practice and multiple sexual partners were common among youths for anal sex practices. In the contrary consistent condom use was very low. A combination of Sexual health education intervention strategies should be implemented at family, school and community level.

Investigation on the repeat pregnant women′ s knowledge of delivery mode after cesarean section

Objective To study the repeat pregnant women′s awareness level of delivery mode knowledge after cesarean section, in order to provide a basis for making effective intervention programs and reduce the cesarean delivery on maternal request rate. Methods Investigated on the knowledge of delivery mode after cesarean section for 330 repeat pregnant women on Maternal and Children Healthy Hospital of Shanxi Province by questionnaire. Results This study investigated 330 repeat pregnant women, recycling effective questionnaire 318, and the recycling effective rate was 96.4% . Different pregnant women with different education level, the number of weeks of gestation, the doctors′ recommendations on the delivery had different scores of knowledge of delivery mode after cesarean section. The difference was significant(P < 0.05). The Multi-factor Logistics regression analysis showed that the repeat pregnant women′ s education and the doctors′ recommendations on the delivery are associated with the scores of knowledge of delivery mode after cesarean section(P < 0.05). The more higher level of their education, and if the doctor had provided the advice of delivery mode to repeat pregnant women before, the more higher scores the repeat pregnant women got. Conclusions The level of the knowledge of delivery mode after cesarean section is low. It′s time to take appropriate health education intervention strategies to reduce the rate of cesarean delivery on maternal request. Key words: Cesarean section; Repeat pregnancy; Delivery mode; Questionnaire

Effectiveness of two oral health education intervention strategies among 12-year-old school children in North Bengaluru: A field trial

Introduction: Oral hygiene practices are not taught as meticulously as general hygiene in schools. There is a dire need for effective and convenient oral health education program in schools. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of two different health education interventions in 12-year-old school children in Bengaluru. Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted in two schools of North Bengaluru which were randomly selected and allotted to Group A (received oral health education from a class teacher, trained by a dental professional; n = 30) and Group B (received the same education from the dental professional; n = 33). Oral prophylaxis for both the groups was done at baseline. Assessment of oral hygiene was done for all the subjects using Silness and Loe plaque index and oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) along with reinforcement of health education at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. An adapted version of the World Health Organization Oral Health Questionnaire for children was administered to the participants at the beginning and end of the study to assess the oral health knowledge and practice. Mann–Whitney U-test and t-test were used for comparing the mean scores of two groups. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between Group A and Group B in the plaque scores at all 3 follow-ups (P < 0.001) and in OHI-S scores last two follow-ups (P < 0.05). There was an increase in knowledge score postintervention for both groups which was significant; however only Group B be showed significant improvement in practice (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Oral health education conducted by the dentist was found to be more effective than that given by a trained teacher.

Empowerment and Coping Strategies in Menopause Women: A Review

Context:Menopause is described as a period of psychological difficulties that changes the lifestyle of women in multiple ways. Menopausal women require more information about their physical and psychosocial needs. Empowerment during the menopause can contribute to improving the perception of this stage and the importance of self-care. It is essential to increase women’s awareness and adaptation to menopause, using empowerment programs. The aim of this study was to review the empowerment and coping strategies in menopause women.Evidence Acquisition:In this review, PubMed, EMBASE, ISI, and Iranian databases were scanned for relevant literature. A comprehensive search was performed, using the combinations of the keywords "empowerment, menopause, coping with" to review relevant literature and higher education journals.Results:Most interventions for menopause women have focused on educational intervention, physical activity/exercise, healthy diet, stress management, healthy behaviors, preventing certain diseases and osteoporosis. Health education intervention strategy is one of the alternative strategies for improving women's attitudes and coping with menopause symptoms, identified as severalof the subcategories of health promotion programs.Conclusions:Empowerment of menopausal women will guarantee their health during the last third of their life. It will also help them benefit from their final years of reproductive life. The results of the present study can pave the way for future research about women’s health promotion and empowerment.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Shao Community of Kwara State, Nigeria

To determine the level of knowledge, belief, and assess the attitude to female genital mutilation (FGM) and its complications in Shao community, Nigeria, a cross-sectional descriptive study with a health education intervention was used. A majority of respondents (99.5%) understood female circumcision to mean cutting off parts of the female genitals. There was a high level of knowledge regarding most of the complications of FGM as more than 50% of respondents knew at least four complications of FGM. Awareness of the global anti-FGM campaign was also high (78.8%). The most common reasons proffered for the practice of FGM were based on tradition or religion. Paternal grandfathers (50.0%) and fathers (21.0%) were cited as decision makers in the family most often responsible for requesting FGM. Post-intervention results showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the proportion of respondents who know more complications of FGM and who have no intention of circumcising future female children. Despite a high level of knowledge regarding the complications of FGM and a high level of awareness of the global campaign against it, there still exists a high prevalence of practice of FGM in this community. FGM remains a pressing human rights and public health issue. It is our recommendation that this health education intervention strategy be replicated nationwide especially using mass media.

The Effect of Community-Based Health Education Intervention on Management of Menstrual Hygiene among Rural Indian Adolescent Girls

To study the effect of a community-based health education intervention on awareness and behaviour change of rural adolescent girls regarding their management of menstrual hygiene. A participatory-action study was undertaken in Primary Health Centres in 23 villages in Anji, in the Wardha district of Maharashtra state. Study subjects were unmarried rural adolescent girls (12-19 years). We conducted a needs assessment for health messages with this target audience, using a triangulated research design of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus group discussions) methods. Program for Appropriate Technology for Health (PATH) guidelines were used to develop a pre-tested, handmade flip book containing needs-based key messages about the management of menstrual hygiene. The messages were delivered at monthly meetings of village-based groups of adolescent girls, called Kishori Panchayat. After 3 years, the effect of the messages was assessed using a combination of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (trend analysis) methods. After 3 years, significantly more adolescent girls (55%) were aware of menstruation before its initiation compared with baseline (35%). The practice of using ready-made pads increased significantly from 5% to 25% and reuse of cloth declined from 85% to 57%. The trend analysis showed that adolescent girls perceived a positive change in their behaviour and level of awareness. The present community health education intervention strategy could bring significant changes in the awareness and behaviour of rural adolescent girls regarding management of their menstrual hygiene.

Health education intervention strategies: recommendations for future research.

While the ultimate goal of health education interventions is to positively influence health status, more proximal indicators of success are changes in intermediate outcomes, or impact. Because health education interventions work through intermediate outcomes, the linkage to health status is often assumed to be at a conceptual or theoretical level. The term health education intervention strategy is a heuristic device used to conceptualize and organize a large variety of activities. There is a wide range of studies and reports in the literature that either test specific intervention strategies or report on larger health education efforts combining several strategies. This article organizes the discussion to focus on individual-, community-, and policy-level interventions. Mass communications are also considered, and the authors comment on program planning issues that cut across specific interventions at the individual, community, and policy levels. Eleven recommendations are offered for future health education intervention research.