Health Education Seminars Research Articles

WHOLE HEALTH(Y) AGING WITH GEROFIT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR OLDER VETERANS

Abstract The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services over 9 million Veterans; approximately half are older than 65 years of age. Veterans are at a higher risk of comorbidities, including obesity and related chronic diseases, which contributes to higher health care costs, mobility disability, poor quality of life and even death. Gerofit is a VA Best Practice and Whole Health clinical exercise program for Veterans >65yrs that has positively impacted physical functioning, mental health symptoms, medication burden and 10-year mortality. This project describes the development of a comprehensive wellness and health promotion program incorporated into Gerofit, called Whole Healthy Aging Gerofit (WHAG). This novel program implemented wellness components to supplement the Gerofit in-person or virtual exercise options, including health education seminars, mindfulness classes, yoga classes, nutrition education classes, produce pick up service, and the Companion Dog Fostering program. WHAG deliverables included class attendance, individual Personal Health Inventories, observed physical function, self-reported physical activity levels, diet quality, perceived mental health, and Veteran satisfaction. The average Gerofit participant is approximately 73 years old, with obesity and multiple comorbid conditions (n=16), takes 10 medications, and is functionally impaired as assessed by gait speed (1.04 m/s). Programs that target healthy aging are needed to ensure the health of the population as it ages. This pilot program, WHAG, is one example of a comprehensive, patient centered wellness program that supports participants in setting their own goals and definitions of wellness to promote healthy aging.

Effect of Community-based Nurse-led Education Intervention on Youth Knowledge of preventive practices towards HIV/AIDS in Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: Health education according to World Health Organization is the most effective weapon against the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide. This study examines the effect of community-level health education on the knowledge and attitude of youths in the Igbotako community towards HIV/AIDS prevention practices. Objectives: This is intending to assess the effect of health education counseling on the knowledge, prevention practices and attitude towards prevention practices among youths aged 15 to 29 years. Methods: Multi-stage sampling method was employed for the study. In the first stage, Okitipupa was selected at random. The second stage involved the purposeful sampling of the Igbotako community and in the third stage, 200 youths between the age of 15 and 29 were randomly selected, with consideration of education and professional background to avoid bias. Confidentiality was assured and respondents were administered with anonymous questionnaires before and after the health education seminars and the resulting data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results: Results showed that community health education significantly improves the awareness and knowledge of respondents about HIV/AIDS (χ2 = 398.63, p-value = 0.0043). The awareness about prevention practices of respondents statistically significantly improves after the health education seminars (χ2 = 208.22 p-value = 0.0219). Also, the attitude towards prevention practices statistically significantly improved as respondents became aware of the various risky behaviours and practices they do (χ2 = 318.71, p-value = 0.0182). Regression analysis showed that marital status i.e. being single (Z= 189.45, p-value= 0.048), gender i.e. being female (Z= 193.78, p-value= 0.021) and profession, being a student (Z= 123.93, p-value= 0.001). Conclusion: The study concludes that continuous community education through health talks, seminars and shows will positively reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS in the community.

The Level of Health Culture Related to Heart Disease Among Students of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at Al-Balqa Applied University.

Increasing awareness of any disease, especially heart disease, is crucial to improve health culture in general. The lack of communication between the different departments of social and health institutions may hinder such increasing awareness due to the lack of enough research that highlights this problem. As health culture education related to heart diseases raises young people's awareness, it improves their lives by developing their knowledge and changing their attitudes, habits, and behaviours towards the risk factors related to such diseases. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the level of health culture related to heart disease among students at Al-Balqa Applied University. The descriptive approach was used in its analytical and survey styles to achieve the research objective, and the research sample consisted of 221 male and female students. The results showed that the total score for the level of health culture related to heart disease among the students was average. In light of the results, the researcher presented several recommendations. The most important are holding health education and awareness seminars and workshops for university students in the field of heart disease and its prevention and activating the role of Al-Balqa Applied University in the continuous guidance and counselling of students in all disciplines and levels to increase the health culture of heart disease.

Awareness of risk factors and early signs of stroke in high risk population of Pune region

Background: Knowledge about risk factors and early signs of stroke helps in early intervention and may lead to a better functional outcome for the patient. This study was conducted to assess awareness about stroke in the high risk population of Pune region.Methods: Ethical committee clearance was taken. A total of 180 samples were recruited and written consent was obtained. Data was collected using a close-ended, self made questionnaire, which was face validated, in an interview based format. Collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: 43.3% participants were fully aware about stroke. 24.2% participants couldn’t identify a single risk factor.79% participants did not have self risk perception about stroke. Only 2.2% participants identified all the signs and symptoms of stroke correctly. 85.4% participants believed that early treatment of stroke increases chances of recovery. Only 32.5% participants would call the ambulance on occurrence of stroke. Awareness about risk factors and early signs of stroke seems to be higher among high risk population belonging to urban areas of Pune region, with higher literacy levels.Conclusions: There is significant lack of awareness about risk factors and early signs of stroke. Public health education seminars should be conducted to increase awareness, especially targeting population at high risk. Outreach to the rural population should be improved.

Healthcare: action research with trans people living on the streets.

to analyze the representations of healthcare provided to trans people living on the streets. ten women (three trans) and three cisgender men participated in this action research. Popular health education groups, focus groups, seminars and interviews were held, the data of which were organized in the software Nvivo®, submitted to content analysis and interpreted in the light of intersectionality theory. healthcare was represented by the technical, relational, structural and citizenship dimensions. The relationship between gender and poverty determines the specific health needs of trans people living on the streets. the need to expand conceptions and practices on healthcare to meet the specific health needs of trans people living on the streets was evidenced. Nursing, with competence and cultural sensitivity, can contribute to positive health outcomes and, consequently, break with the logic of exclusion, illness and poverty.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B & C in Bahawalpur Region, Punjab, Pakistan.

Hepatitis is a worldwide problem. Until now, six types of viruses related to hepatitis has been discovered and among them hepatitis B and C virus are most prominent. Both of these viruses can be spread easily and can cause significant health damage. Blood transfusion, unprotected sex and reuse of used syringes and razors are the main reasons for transferring the virus. ICT kits are easily available in market which were used to detect the presence of hepatitis B and C. These kits are easy to use but their efficiency is not 100%. This study was conducted to observe the ratio of hepatitis in Bahawalpur region and it was observed that overall incidence of HCV is more as compared to HBV. The percentage prevalence in male population (37%) was higher than female population (35%) and the percentage of HCV is higher in poor families (41%) than middle class families (33%). Furthermore, virus was more prevalent in middle aged male then younger and older persons. As hepatitis is frequently propagating among the people of Pakistan, which causing great lose of man power and economy every year. However, Public awareness through health education program and seminars should be held in regular interval, and vaccination programs to decrease the burden of HBV and HCV from the population of Bahawalpur Punjab province of Pakistan. There is an urgent need to undertake such studies in other populations so that populations with higher prevalence can be identified and ways can be devised for the prevention and cure of these viral infections.

Health education and nutritional diet-based mentoring in an effort to control excess fat intake

Excess fat intake causes the accumulation of body fat which results in obesity. The high cholesterol levels cause health problems and the reproductive system of women of childbearing age. Excess fat intake is influenced by several factors such as a lack of understanding of the consumption of nutritious and healthy foods, and the impact of excess fat intake on the risk of obesity, high cholesterol and menstrual cycle disorders. The purpose of this service activity is to control excess fat intake, obesity, high cholesterol levels, and regularity of the menstrual cycle of women of childbearing age. The methods used in this service activity include health education seminars, screening for obesity, cholesterol levels, and regularity of the menstrual cycle and nutritional diet-based mentoring. After the service activities, it was found that there was an increase in understanding about excess fat intake, obesity, high cholesterol and the menstrual cycle. Then, there are changes with the achievement of normal weight, normal cholesterol levels and regular menstrual cycles in women of childbearing age.

Perceptions of Grade 12 Senior High School Students in the Philippine Engineering and Agro-Industrial College, Inc. (PEACI) towards Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine

The advent of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic brought about enormous changes in the life and activities of the people globally; the education sector was no exception. To cope with the drastic change brought about COVID-19, the government mandated vaccinations to protect the population and contain the severe contamination of the virus. This study evaluated the general knowledge, attitude, and perception of Grade 12 senior high school (SHS) students of the Philippine Engineering and Agro-Industrial College, Inc. (PEACI) regarding COVID-19 vaccinations using survey research. An adapted questionnaire from similar research was used as the survey questionnaire of this study involving eighty-three (83) Meranaw grade 12 SHS students enrolled in PEACI school in year 2020-2021. Statistical analyses were done using descriptive statistics only in accordance with the statement of the problems investigated. Findings revealed that some are still skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines, while approximately 20% agree with the contention that COVID 19 is not a disease. This implies that the Meranaw grade 12 SHS students do not have enough knowledge about COVID-19 virus and they tend to ignore the danger brought about by COVID-19. Since that they did not believe that COVID-19 is a disease, it is recommended that the government, particularly the health sector as well the education sector, must conduct health education seminars and orientation about COVID-19 virus in the schools to inform the students of the extent of the dangers brought about by COVID-19 virus. They need to become aware of the health protocols prescribed by the COVID-19 task force and the department of health and follow these. Becoming knowledgeable about the dangerous effects of COVID-19 will hopefully persuade them to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Knowledge, skills, and barriers to management of faecal incontinence in Australian primary care: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundGPs play an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with faecal incontinence (FI). However, their confidence and ability in this role are unknown.AimThis study aimed to investigate the knowledge, skills, and confidence of GPs to manage FI in primary care, and identify barriers to optimal management.Design & settingA cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires of GPs attending health education seminars, which took place across Australian capital cities.MethodMain outcome measures included: (i) clinical exposure to and previous training in FI; (ii) knowledge and skills in screening, diagnosing, and managing FI; and (iii) barriers and facilitators to optimising care. Associations between demographics, training and knowledge and skills were assessed.ResultsSome 1285 of 1469 GPs (87.5%) participated (mean 47.7 years [standard deviation {SD} 11.3]). The vast majority reported poor clinical exposure to (88.5%) and training in FI management (91.3%). Subjectively, 69.7% rated their knowledge and skills in screening, assessing, and treating FI as suboptimal. The most commonly reported barrier to FI care was ‘insufficient skills’ (56.1%); facilitators were improved referral pathways (84.6%) and increased training (67.9%). GPs with more training had better knowledge (odds ratio [OR] = 24.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 13.32 to 45.51) and skills (OR = 13.87, 95% CI = 7.94 to 24.24) in managing FI.ConclusionClinical exposure to and training in FI among GPs was poor. Accordingly, knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage FI was suboptimal. GPs recognise the importance of FI and that increased training and/or education and formalisation of referral pathways may improve the care of patients with FI in primary care.

Level of Practice of Safety Precautions against COVID 19 among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal clinics in Central Hospital Benin, Benin City in Nigeria

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has assumed a global health concern since the first case was recorded in Wuhan community China in December 2019. The objective of this paper is to report the level of practice of safety precautions against COVID 19 among pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinics in Central Hospital Benin, Benin City in Nigeria. A self- administered questionnaire on the level of practice of safety precautions against covid19 infection was administered to a total of 420 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in central Hospital Benin City for Data collection. The results showed that two hundred and four (48.6%) of the respondents reported that they have recently avoided crowded places. Three hundred and seventy two (88.6%) reported recently wearing mask whenever they left home. Three hundred and twenty four (77.1%) of the respondents had good practice of safety precautions against COVID19. The study showed a good practice of safety precautions against COVID19 and this was influenced by the women’s level of education, occupation and knowledge of COVID-19. However, there is still the need to improve the knowledge of the women attending antenatal clinic regarding COVID-19 through health education seminars. Also up scaling the practice of safety precautions could be done through such health education seminars.
 Keywords: Pregnant women, Practice, Safety precaution, covid-19

Intergenerational Technology Transfer: Enhancing African American Older Adults' Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management.

African American older adults are twice as likely to have diabetes than White older adults. Little is understood of African American older adults' self-efficacy in using technology to support recommended chronic disease self-management. Our objective was to describe the feasibility of using a community-based health education session that used intergenerational technology transfer to promote use of technology to support self-management. The team designed a health and technology education session then measured its impact on African American older adults' self-efficacy for using technology to support self-management. The community-based participatory research approach informed the study design which duplicated the sessions at the two study sites, in Detroit and Flint. We conducted a health education seminar in which older adults with diabetes shared insights on living with diabetes with younger adults they selected from their personal networks. The younger adults showed older adults how to access health information on smartphones. The sample included African American older adults (aged ≥50 years; n = 39) and younger adults (aged 18-49 years; n = 26). All participants showed improvements in self-efficacy for following recommendations for diet (i.e., preparing healthy meals [p = 0.0179]) and healthy diet behavior [p = 0.0044]) and physical activity (i.e., decrease in effort to exercise [p = 0.0185]), and for six of seven items, which measured confidence in using technology for self-management (e.g., using technology for health [p = 0.0002]). Findings provide foundational observations to inform evidence-based healthy aging interventions that use technology. Future research should explore the efficacy of community-based health education sessions with intergenerational technology transfer designed to support self-management.

APA Health CARE: A Student-Led Initiative Addressing Health Care Barriers Faced by the Asian and Pacific Islander American Immigrant Population in Los Angeles.

Asian and Pacific Islander Americans face cultural, linguistic, and financial barriers to accessing health care. APA Health CARE (APAHC), a UCLA student-led organization, attempts to bridge these disparities through free community health screenings, health education seminars, and follow-up procedures. From 2011 to 2018, participants' demographic and health-related information were recorded during health fairs and follow-up phone calls. Trends in participant characteristics were analyzed overtime. Health fair data were compared to data from follow-up phone calls to assess the effectiveness of health fair education and referral practices. 5635 participants from 69 health fairs were screened over the 8-year period. Follow-up contact was attempted for 2258 participants, of which 555 responded. Overtime, a greater proportion of participants reported higher income, health insurance, and access to a regular doctor. Of those contacted at follow-up, 32.3% reported visiting a doctor, 50.2% reported making lifestyle changes, and 68.0% of those who were uninsured at health fairs reported obtaining health insurance within 1month of attendance. Despite an observed increase in the proportion of participants having insurance and a regular doctor, health fair attendance remained consistent, possibly due to Asian American immigrants' preference for services that are convenient and linguistically and culturally accessible. Attendees reported visiting a physician, making lifestyle changes, and obtaining health insurance based on health fair referrals, suggesting measurable success with referral uptake and follow through. Student-led initiatives similar to APAHC can serve as catalysts to increase health literacy and motivate communities to seek health insurance and care.

AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ON CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING SERVICES AMONG WOMEN AGED 30-49 YEARS IN KITUI WEST SUB-COUNTY

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the Awareness and Knowledge on Cervical Cancer Screening Services Among Women Aged 30-49 Years In Kitui West Sub-County Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. The study population was women aged 30-49 years of age. A Multi-stage cluster sampling technique, simple random sampling, proportionate sampling and systemic sampling was used to obtain 270 respondents from the study population. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire to women aged 30-49 years in Kitui west sub-County. The study used quantitative research methods to obtain data from selected respondents. Quantitative data was collected using closed and open ended questionnaires. All interviews were done after obtaining approval from relevant bodies and consent from study respondents. Data from the respondents was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) in conjunction with Microsoft excel. The study used chi-square test calculated at 95% interval and a margin of 0.05% error to determine the relationship between dependent and independent study variables. Results: The results found out that Majority of the participants 145 (53,7%) were aware of the cancer screening. There was a no significant relationship (p =0 .054) between the awareness and cervical cancer screening services among women aged 30-49 years. The study established that, majority 152 (56.3) of the respondents had low knowledge on cervical cancer and there was an association between knowledge on warning signs (p=0.001) and prevention of cervical cancer (p=0.002) and utilization of cervical cancer screening services. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends the NGOs and other stakeholders addressing cervical cancer issues should ensure that when creating awareness on screening, they should organize events targeting women and thereafter offer free cervical cancer screening services. The Ministry of Health together with relevant stakeholders should tailor and scale up advocacy and health education seminars in the community to help improved transfer of correct knowledge on cervical cancer screening services thus signify importance of seeking such services early enough.

Effects of Taichi-Qigong Exercise On Qol of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Survivors

The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic areas is high. The long-term chemotherapy and radiotherapy cause bodily dysfunction and low quality of life (QoL) in NPC survivors. Complementary therapy especially mind-body exercise such as Taichi-Qigong becomes an option for NPC survivors to improve the QoL. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 10 weeks Taichi-Qigong training and health education lectures on QoL of NPC survivors. METHODS: Thirty eligible participants were recruited and randomly assigned into either intervention or control group. 14 of NPC survivors (n=7 for intervention group; n=7 for control group completed pre-post assessment of QoL satisfactory. The intervention group practiced the active, low-intensity 18-form internal Taichi-Qigong exercise for at least 3 times a week for 10 weeks plus three health education seminars during the 10-weeks intervention period. The control group engaged in the health education seminars only over the 10-weeks period. QoL was assessed by Functional assessment of cancer therapy - General (FACT-G) which included four subscales: physical well-being (PWB), social well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB) and functional well-being (FWB). RESULTS: Significant differences were found on subscales of EWB (p=0.011), and the effects of Taichi-Qigong on SWB is marginally significant (p=0.056). CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide preliminary data to support that Taichi-Qigong exercise, as a complementary therapy, may contribute to positive effects for NPC survivors in terms of improved QoL outcomes.

PREVALENCE OF ANEMIA AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN AL-HARAM ZONE, GIZA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Background: Anemia in school-age children is an important public health problem, and available data of its prevalence and existing risk factors are essential for planning preventive strategies. Anemia is more prevalent among females as compared with males. It reduces physical work capacity and cognitive function and adversely affects learning and scholastic performance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anemia among male and female school-age children (6-18 years) in Al-Haram, Giza governorate, Egypt, and to identify factors associated with childhood anemia among the participants. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 school-age children 6-18 years old (116 males and 119 females) in Al-Haram district, Giza governorate, Egypt. An oral consent was obtained from participants and their relatives. A blood sample was taken from each participant with the aim of providing the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among the study population. Results: The study revealed that the overall prevalence of anemia was 38.7%. Among males were 23.3%, while 53.8% among females with a statistically significant difference. Regarding family size prevalence of anemia among families (less than five) were 27.1%, while 74.1% in families more than five persons with a statistically significant difference. The current study revealed that anemia was 64%, 54.5% and 10.1% among children born to illiterate, moderate and high educated fathers respectively. Anemia was 56.4% and 17.4% among children borne to illiterate and moderate educated mothers with a statistically significant difference. Results of the study revealed that anemia was 61.8%, 48.5%, 5.6% and 26.7% among children who born to farmers, merchant, governmental employee and private employee respectively. Regarding mothers job, 41.4%, 33.3% and 20% of children were anemic who born to house wife, merchant and private employee mothers respectively with statistically significant differences. The study revealed that anemia was 66.2% among children who ate meat once weekly, while 38.7% among children who ate meat twice weekly, with statistically significant differences. Anemia was 55% among children who ate vegetables once weekly, 28.8% among who ate vegetables twice, and 15.9% among who ate vegetables three times and more weekly. The current study revealed that anemia was 44.1% among who ate fruits once weekly, 13% among who ate twice weekly, and 11.8% among who ate three times and more weekly. Recommendations: - School teachers should give advice to both children and their parents regarding advantages of balanced diet. - Improvement of dietary habits regarding consumption of animal proteins, fruits and green leafy vegetables should be included in diet plan. - Health education seminars should be conducted at regular intervals. - Addition of a health education courses to student's curricula. Conclusion: The results suggested that there was a need for proper planning and implementation of preventive measures to combat childhood anemia.

Preconception Care Health Education for Female Workers of Reproductive Age in Japan Evaluation up to 6 Months after the Program

Objectives: The aim of this study was to implement a health education program for education of preconception care (PCC) for female workers of reproductive age through a seminar and to evaluate the program based on PCC knowledge and awareness and behaviors before the seminar and at 3 and 6 months after the seminar. Methods: A small group health education seminar was implemented using leaflets for 84 female workers of reproductive age, age 20 to 35 years old, and an intervention by group discussion and feedback was provided. Of these participants, 60 (71%) who provided valid survey responses were included in the analysis. The primary outcome indicators were PCC knowledge, PCC awareness and behaviors, and a food frequency questionnaire, and the secondary outcome indicators were self-efficacy and the health awareness and stress management subscales of the Health-Promotion Lifestyle Profile scale. The survey was conducted three times, before the seminar and at 3 and 6 months after the seminar, and the results were compared. Results: The percentage of individuals with PCC knowledge was significantly increased at 3 months after the seminar as compared with before the seminar, and it remained at this level even at 6 months after the seminar. The percentage of individuals with PCC awareness and behaviors was significantly increased for the items actively eat foods containing folic acid, prevent sexually transmitted diseases, and conduct self-examinations for breast cancer at 3 months after the seminar and for the items eat well-balanced meals, make the mind active, prevent sexually transmitted diseases, and conduct self-examinations for breast cancer at 6 months after the seminar. Furthermore, the score for the health awareness subscale of the Health-Promotion Lifestyle Profile scale was significantly increased at 6 months after the seminar. Conclusion: The health education program established PCC knowledge at 6 months after the seminar and improved some PCC awareness and behaviors. Therefore, it was suggested that the program would be effective for education of PCC for female workers of reproductive age.

Effectiveness of an oral health education seminar for paediatric and family medicine residents.

To assess the immediate effect of a 60-minute oral health educational seminar for paediatric and family medicine residents in improving their knowledge, attitude, likelihoodtowards incorporating oral health preventive practice in their current practices to well-child visits, and confidence in identifying and referring patients with dental trauma. Baseline pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate the immediate effect of a 60-minute PowerPoint oral health educational seminar given to the paediatric and family medicine residents. Multiple-choice items were used and the pre- and post-test data were analysed with McNemar and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sixty-eight residents participated in the oral health educational seminar and completed the questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 29.9 years old (SD ±4.8 yrs.). Immediately following a 60-minute oral health educational seminar, there was an overall significant increase in participants' knowledge, attitudes and likelihood towards incorporating oral health preventive practice in their current practices to well-child visits (p<0.05). More confidence in identifying and referring patients with dental trauma was reported by 100% of participants. A 60-minute oral health educational seminar was effective in improving paediatric and family medicine residents' immediate knowledge, attitude, and likelihood towards incorporating oral health preventive practice in their current practices to well-child visits. Significantly more residents felt more confident in identifying and referring patients with dental trauma. Key messages: an oral health educational seminar can be effective in improving paediatric and family medicine residents' immediate knowledge, attitude, and likelihood towards incorporating oral health preventive practice in their current practices to well-child visits.

Promoting Compliance When Faith Gets in the Way.

Sixty-six percent of U.S. Christians report they believe God can heal supernaturally, 68% have prayed for someone to be healed supernaturally by God, and 27% state they have experienced a miraculous physical healing. Christians who hold such beliefs may struggle with seeking and adhering to a prescribed healthcare regimen, as well as experience shame. A health education seminar assisting congregants to view healthcare as compatible with faith was implemented and evaluated in a Christian faith community.

Does An Education Seminar Intervention Improve the Parents’ Knowledge on Vaccination? Evidence from Yiwu, East China

Background: caregivers’ knowledge on vaccination is an important impact factor for their children’s vaccination status. The aims of this study were to evaluate the caregivers’ knowledge of vaccination, and to assess effectiveness of a health education seminar for improving caregivers’ knowledge on immunization. Methods: pre- and post-assessment design was adopted for a single group to evaluate the effectiveness of the health education seminar on vaccination. The seminar consisted of a lecture using simple understandable language. Improvements in total knowledge score before and after the seminar were assessed using a validated questionnaire that included ten questions. Description analysis and non-parametric tests were applied to evaluate and compare the vaccination knowledge level before and after the seminar. Results: 378 caregivers participated in this study. The majority were mothers. Of the ten questions, the correct response rates had significantly increased for nine questions after the education seminar. The mean total score of the assessment before the seminar was 5.2 ± 1.2 while that was 8.4 ± 0.9 for the assessment after the seminar, with a significant increase of 3.18 points. Conclusion: a short education seminar designed for caregivers had a remarkable effect on their vaccination knowledge. Health education on vaccination targeting migrant caregivers, caregivers with lower education level or household income, and employed caregivers are needed in future.

Creating a Bridge of Understanding between Two Worlds: Community‐Based Collaborative‐Action Research with Sudanese Refugee Women

To explore the process of partnership between university researchers, students, and South Sudanese refugee women to address the health challenges associated with their resettlement transition to the United States. This qualitative study used a community-based collaborative action research (CBCAR) framework in the design, collection, and analysis of the qualitative data. Twenty refugee women participated in this study. Five health education seminars followed by an audio-recorded focus group were held over 9 months. A final focus group was held to confirm derived themes and develop an action plan. The partnership between the refugee women and researchers resulted in awareness of how power structures and differing expectations affected the process. The dialog in the focus groups provided an opportunity for refugee women to voice challenges to their health in resettlement. A pattern was recognized about how political and sociocultural events affected the process of CBCAR. Dialog and sharing differing worldviews and perspectives led to insights about ways to improve the health of the South Sudanese refugee community. CBCAR is a useful framework to address health concerns of a refugee community. Insights from this study provided a foundation for a future intervention research project with the refugee women.