Health Promotion Knowledge Research Articles

The Effects of the Infant Health Promotion Program for Mothers with Their Firstborn Infants

This study was intended to evaluate the effects of an Infant Health Promotion Program (IHPP) for mothers with their firstborn infants. This study employed a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants consisted of 17 mothers with their firstborn infants in the experimental group and 17 in the control group from two women's hospitals. The experimental group received eight sessions of the program for four weeks. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test and repeated-measures ANOVA using an SPSS/WIN ver. 22.0. The experimental group receiving the program had statistically significant higher levels of infant health promotion knowledge (F = 22.91, p < .001), social support (F = 27.64, p < .001), maternal role confidence (F = 8.25, p = .005) and health promotion behavior for infants (F = 16.85, p < .001) than the control group. The experimental group had a statistically significant lower level of parenting stress than the control group (F = 29.93, p < .001). The study's findings indicate that the IHPP is effective in improving health promotion knowledge, social support, and maternal role confidence and decreasing parenting stress among mothers with their firstborn infants. A method of delivering intervention, focused on readily accessible online platforms, coupled with intervention strategies grounded in the theory of self-efficacy, proves to be an advantageous approach for this particular target group.

Teaching health promotion competencies in undergraduate dentistry training: A unique pedagogical approach.

Using appropriate pedagogical approaches in undergraduate dentistry training is important to develop student's health promotion knowledge, and to shape their attitude towards using these competencies in future dentistry practice. This brief report documents the signature pedagogical approach developed for an undergraduate health science subject at James Cook University, to teach dentistry students health promotion competencies. The signature pedagogy involves three key approaches - experiential learning, cooperative learning and inquiry-based learning. Experiential learning "beyond the classroom" enables students to develop and deliver a school-based oral health promotion program. "Inside the classroom," role-plays encourage students to apply their health promotion skills to real-world dentistry scenarios. Cooperative learning techniques such as "think, pair, share" create a supportive environment for students to confidently exchange ideas; and inquiry-based learning engages students in thinking critically about health promotion strategies to address contemporary oral health challenges. These pedagogical approaches have developed student's understanding of the health promotion competencies required of a newly qualified dentist. Pedagogical approaches that engage dentistry students in experiential, cooperative and inquiry-based learning are important considerations for undergraduate teaching, to strengthen understanding of health promotion and to help shape student's attitude towards using these competencies in future dentistry practice.

P10-05 Evaluation of a MOOC on Heath Promotion in sports club

BackgroundThe acquisition of health promotion (HP) skills and knowledge is essential for interventions development [1,2]. Considering the increasing recognition of the potential of HP in sports clubs (SC) [3] and the number of HP interventions [4,5], the development of training to optimize their implementation is important. To this end, the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) PROSCeSS (PROmotion de la Santé dans les Clubs de SportS) was developed. The objective of this work was to evaluate the learning process of the MOOC, its acceptability and its effectiveness on the HP knowledge and on the abilities to implement the learning.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent to participants before and after the training between November and February 2022. The RE-AIM model, measuring reach (affected audience) of the training, effectiveness (knowledge gained), adoption (motivations to participate in the course), implementation (use of learning), and maintenance (long-term use of learning) was used to structure the study. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed using SPSS 23.0 software.Preliminary ResultsOf the 2000 learners, 21% completed the pre-MOOC questionnaire and 5% completed the post-MOOC questionnaire. Among non-exclusive categories, 32% of learners were SC coaches, 26% were managers, 43% were practitioners (on average for 10 years) and 46% were HP or sport professionals. A paired sample t-test showed an 11% increase in the post-MOOC knowledge questionnaire score compared to the pre-MOOC questionnaire, as well as a 10% increase in confidence in implementing HP actions. 48% of learners were “completely satisfied” with the MOOC and 47% “quite satisfied”. The strategies of participatory approach, communication and objective were considered as the most important and feasible while the lack of time, financial and human resources were considered the main barriers to learning's implementation.ConclusionsSC actors seem to be interested in HP and want to be trained. This MOOC appears to be an effective solution for acquiring knowledge in HP. The results provide indications for the development of strategic tools and inform on strategies recognized as effective and feasible to implement HP projects and face the problems encountered by the SC.

Digital Literacy-Based Health Promotion at Posyandu Banjar Teges Kanginan

The lack of posyandu cadres who have expertise in health sciences causes the health promotion process to be less effective. This is because human resources do not have the knowledge and skills in health promotion. In addition, the cadres of the Banjar Teges Kanginan Posyandu, Peliatan Village have never received training on COVID-19 prevention. The media used in health promotion also tend to be monotonous, only using loudspeakers which are used for socialization around the Teges Kanginan Traditional Village. This shows that the process of health promotion takes place in a monotonous and less innovative way. Based on the description above, there are two problems that will be given a solution, namely the knowledge aspect of digital literacy-based health promotion and the skill aspect of digital-based health promotion. The solutions given related to the above problems are providing training and assistance in making health promotion media based on digital literacy, communication and public speaking, using and how to make hand sanitizers and disinfectants, training and mentoring on how to wash hands properly and correctly. The output target in the implementation of this devotion to the community is that the cadres of the Banjar Posyandu Teges Kanginan have the knowledge and skills of digital literacy-based health promotion. The results of this activities is implementation are as follows. (1) There is an increase in the knowledge of posyandu cadres related to digital literacy-based Health promotion. (2) there is an increase in the skills of posyandu cadres about conducting clean and healthy lifestyle, especially making handsanitizers. The high interest of posyandu cadres in improving public health, especially using health promotion based on digital literacy, it is necessary to hold further training and coaching related to the implementation of digital literacy in promoting public health

Perceptions of practising physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia about their role in the health promotion of patients with musculoskeletal conditions: a qualitative study.

This study aimed to explore physiotherapists' perceptions in Saudi Arabia about their understanding and role in health promotion through lifestyle behaviours and risk factors assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal pain and disabilities. Qualitative study. One-to-one interviews with 12 physiotherapists (six females; mean age 34.5 ± 8) within a constructivist framework. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Three themes were identified: (1) the physiotherapists' awareness and knowledge of health promotion; (2) current practice of physiotherapists to implementing health promotion practice; and (3) the physiotherapists' perceived barriers to implementing health promotion practice. Participants generally perceived health promotion to be within their scope of practice. However, their understanding and approaches to deliver this practice were varied and non-standardised. Some barriers to routine engagement in health promotion were identified, including time constraints, the beliefs of healthcare practitioners, and limited education and training. This study highlighted that physiotherapists acknowledged the role of health promotion in their practice. However, there were different explanations of the concept and it was informally practised.

Effect Of Cellular Phone SMS As Health Education Media About HIV And AIDS On Health Service Search Behavior Of Women Sex Workers

Abstract Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks white blood cells (lymphocytes) that cause the decline of human immune. High risk groups such as Female Sex Workers (FSWs) tend not to access health services because of the decrimination they face in society. Health promotion is still an important strategy in increasing self-awareness of FSWs to perform Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) examination, one of them is through the utilization of cellular phone technology. This study aims to determine the effect of cell phone Short Message Service (SMS) as a media health education about HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to health seeking behavior of FSWs. Pre-experimental design one group pre-test pos-ttest design was conducted at 33 FSWs at Terminal Pesiapan, Tabanan District. The results of pre-test and post-test showed an influence on behavior (knowledge, attitude and action) after SMS based health promotion intervention (p &lt;0,05), knowledge (p = 0,039), attitude (p = 0,003), and action (p = 0,000). After the intervention there was an increase in behavior that is on knowledge 30,3%, 36,4% attitude and 63,6% action. Mobile phone SMS media proves to be effective in conveying health information so as to raise awareness of FSWs in conducting HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). An innovative, short, easy-to-understand message on HIV and AIDS should be provided with simple language and regular use of cellular-based information technology by healthcare workers.&#x0D; Keywords: Behavior, FSWs, Health Education, Mobile Phone SMS

Knowledge of Rural Secondary School Students on First Aid Following Educational Intervention

Introduction: School life is an important part of children’s lives, which has a direct impact on their physical and mental health. Knowledge of health promotion and prevention activities encourages initiating first aid activities in society.&#x0D; Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of rural secondary school students following educational intervention on first aid.&#x0D; Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was carried out among 320 secondary school students. Educational intervention on first aid was applied to compare the level of knowledge before and after the intervention. Data were collected by a self-administered structured questionnaire through randomly selected students.&#x0D; Results: Findings showed that most of the respondents (84.2%) were between 12-15 years old and their mean age was 14.3 years. It was also found that the majority 159 (58.5%) of the respondents were male and the rest of them 113 (41.5%) were female. Regarding family type distribution, the majority 192 (70.6%) of the respondents lived in a nuclear family and 80 (29.4%) belong to joint family. In addition, 43 (15.8%) students' fathers were farmers, 74 (27.2%) were businessmen and 43 (15.8%) were day laborers. Regarding textbook knowledge on first aid 270 (99.3%) respondents knew the meaning of first aid, 232 (85.3%) students gave their opinion about cleaning the skin with Dettol or savlon in case of injury and 228 (83.8%) students answered that bleeding should be reduced by applying pressure with a clean cloth. The study found that 22 (8.1%) respondents had a good knowledge of first aid interventions before the intervention while after the intervention, a good level of knowledge was found amongst 189 (69.5%) students. The study revealed that the use of ice during injury management was not significantly (c2 =0.529, p˃ 0.05) associated with the level of first aid knowledge statistically before the intervention while after first aid intervention, there was a significant association (c2 =7.235, p˂ 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: Educational intervention on first aid improves the level of knowledge among secondary school students. Necessary measures should be taken to encourage health promotion and prevention activities during practical life.

User-Guided Design of a Digital Tool for Health Promotion and Radiation Protection: Results from an Internet Needs Survey.

Background: Digital tools can be powerful and effective in connecting people with life-saving and health-promoting support when facing a health crisis. To develop a digital application for radiation protection and health promotion for evacuees returning home after the Fukushima nuclear accident, we conducted a needs assessment survey and explored the association of people’s eHealth literacy (eHL) level with their digital tool knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP). Methods: From 339 responses to an online survey, data from 264 lay persons were analyzed. The KAP items were those used in a prior EU project, and eHL levels were assessed with a Japanese version of the eHealth Literacy Scale. Results: Multivariable analyses showed significant associations between eHL and the digital tool KAP for radiation protection (knowledge: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.10; attitude: 1.06; practice: 1.10) and for health promotion (knowledge: aOR = 1.13; attitude: 1.06; practice: 1.16). Conclusions: People with a higher eHL had a more positive KAP. For those with a lower eHL, we are formulating easy-to-understand explanations to promote the utilization of the digital tool and enthusiasm for future community-oriented digital tools.

Health promotion research has come of age! Structuring the field based on the practices of health promotion researchers.

Health promotion is mostly framed as a discourse and practices based on a set of values and principles that promote changes at various levels (individual, community and global). There is no well-defined knowledge base and no widely agreed knowledge development methods. During the past decades, health promotion knowledge has developed following a potluck model. Researchers from various disciplinary backgrounds attracted to the values and transformative vision of health promotion have used their disciplinary-based research methods and theories to conduct studies about the various practices that are associated with health promotion. Although health promotion research has acquired many attributes of a distinct field, researching practices from various disciplinary perspectives is not sufficient to create a coherent knowledge base for health promotion. We propose three dimensions to further structure health promotion research. The first relates to the object for which knowledge is produced. For health promotion research this relates to health social practices. The second dimension relates to the purpose and ethics of research. In the case of health promotion research it pursues the dual purpose of producing knowledge (epistemic aim) and contributing to social changes (transformative aim). The third dimension concerns the knowledge produced and the conditions for valid knowledge. In the case of health promotion research, the condition of knowledge production should include a recognition of the complexity of social practice and the necessary dialogue between scientific. True to health promotion principles, we propose a bottom-up process for structuring the field through the creation of a 'Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research' that would draw on the research practices of those involved in health promotion research.

A comparative study of community medicine and public health curriculum at medical schools in Iran and North America

Background: Community medicine and public health are the core subjects in medical education. One of the main competencies of general physicians in the national curriculum is having knowledge and skills in health promotion and disease prevention in the health system. Any curriculum revision in community medicine departments needs to incorporate the evidence and use pioneer countries’ experiences in this issue. This study aims to compare community medicine and public health courses in medical schools between Iran and selected universities in North America. Methods: The elements of a community medicine curriculum for medical students were compared in a descriptive-comparative study using the Bereday model. These elements included objectives and competencies, educational strategies, teaching and learning methods, assessment, and educational fields in a community medicine curriculum in Iran and in selected universities in North America. A literature search was conducted in CINAHL, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EBSCO, and on university websites. Results: Essential aspects of community-based strategies among community medicine and public health curriculum of general medicine in universities in Canada and the United States included a longitudinal approach, training in urban and rural primary care centers, teaching by family physicians and health center staff, a spiral curriculum, focus on social determinants of health, taking of social and cultural histories and social prescriptions, learning teamwork, and using LIC (Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum). Conclusion: The objective of community medicine and public health curriculum in selected North American universities was to prepare general practitioners who work in Level 2 and 3 hospitals and to improve their skills to provide high-quality services to the community. Some of the successful points in the selected universities that could be replicated in Iranian faculties of medicine included using integration strategy, a spiral curriculum, and an LIC approach.

Handling of Indeterminacy in Statistics. Application in Community Medicine

Currently, humanity has made significant progress in the development of telecommunications and the economic, social, and health sectors; probably, in the same way, a series of pathogenic organisms have evolved considerably, causing harm to humanity. That is why Health Sciences has resorted to the technological advances offered by the industrial and telecommunications era. Among the tools of great help to combat infectious agents are statistical tools, which contribute a decisive step in advancing scientific studies aimed at communities and society. The application of Statistics in Health Sciences is essential to apply its knowledge in preventive activities, health promotion, and clinical studies. This knowledge allows students to face more complex courses and content and formulate better scientific criteria for analyzing and developing healthcare and research activities. Although a level of evidence has been achieved in the recommendations for tracking the health problems faced by the communities and the possible treatments to be applied in patients, there are still certain levels of indeterminacy in the analyzed data that generate arbitrary or discretionary opinions outside the scope of the classical statistics which can be better covered if processed by neutrosophic statistics.

Improving the oral health of older people in care homes (TOPIC): a protocol for a feasibility study

BackgroundEvidence for interventions promoting oral health amongst care home residents is weak. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline NG48 aims to maintain and improve the oral health of care home residents. A co-design process that worked with residents and care home staff to understand how the NG48 guideline could be best implemented in practice has been undertaken to refine a complex intervention. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of the intervention to inform a future larger scale definitive trial.MethodsThis is a protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial with a 12-month follow-up that will be undertaken in 12 care homes across two sites (six in London, six in Northern Ireland). Care homes randomised to the intervention arm (n = 6) will receive the complex intervention based on the NG48 guideline, whilst care homes randomised to the control arm (n = 6) will continue with routine practice. The intervention will include a training package for care home staff to promote knowledge and skills in oral health promotion, the use of the Oral Health Assessment Tool on residents by trained care home staff, and a ‘support worker assisted’ daily tooth-brushing regime with toothpaste containing 1500 ppm fluoride. An average of ten residents, aged 65 years or over who have at least one natural tooth, will be recruited in each care home resulting in a recruited sample of 120 participants. Assessments will be undertaken at baseline, 6 months and 12 months, and will include a dental examination and questionnaires on general health and oral health administered by a research assistant. A parallel process evaluation involving semi-structured interviews will be undertaken to explore how the intervention could be embedded in standard practice. Rates of recruitment and retention, and intervention fidelity will also be recorded. A cost-consequence model will determine the relevance of different outcome measures in the decision-making context.DiscussionThe study will provide valuable information for trialists, policymakers, clinicians and care home staff on the feasibility and associated costs of oral health promotion in UK care homes.Trial registrationISRCTN10276613. Registered on 17th April 2020. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN10276613.

Kenyan school book knowledge for water, sanitation, hygiene and health education interventions: Disconnect, integration or opportunities?

Schools, depending on their access to and quality of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and the implementation of healthy behaviours, can be critical for the control and spread of many infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Schools provide opportunities for pupils to learn about the importance of hygiene and WASH-related practice, and build healthy habits and skills, with beneficial medium- and long-term consequences particularly in low- and middle-income countries: reducing pupils' absenteeism due to diseases, promoting physical, mental and social health, and improving learning outcomes. WASH services alone are often not sufficient and need to be combined with educational programmes. As pupils disseminate their acquired health-promoting knowledge to their (extended) families, improved WASH provisions and education in schools have beneficial effects also on the community. International organisations frequently roll out interventions in schools to improve WASH services and, in some cases, train pupils and teachers on safe WASH behaviours. How such interventions relate to local school education on WASH, health promotion and disease prevention knowledge, whether and how such knowledge and school books are integrated into WASH education interventions in schools, are knowledge gaps we fill. We analyzed how Kenyan primary school science text book content supports WASH and health education by a book review including books used from class 1 through class 8, covering the age range from 6 to 13 years. We then conducted a rapid literature review of combined WASH interventions that included a behaviour change or educational component, and a rapid review of international policy guidance documents to contextualise the results and understand the relevance of books and school education for WASH interventions implemented by international organisations. We conducted a content analysis based on five identified thematic categories, including drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, environmental hygiene & health promotion and disease risks, and mapped over time the knowledge about WASH and disease prevention. The books comprehensively address drinking water issues, including sources, quality, treatment, safe storage and water conservation; risks and transmission pathways of various waterborne (Cholera, Typhoid fever), water-based (Bilharzia), vector-related (Malaria) and other communicable diseases (Tuberculosis); and the importance of environmental hygiene and health promotion. The content is broadly in line with internationally recommended WASH topics and learning objectives. Gaps remain on personal hygiene and handwashing, including menstrual hygiene, sanitation education, and related health risks and disease exposures. The depth of content varies greatly over time and across the different classes. Such locally available education materials already used in schools were considered by none of the WASH education interventions in the considered intervention studies. The thematic gaps/under-representations in books that we identified, namely sanitation, hygiene and menstrual hygiene education, are all high on the international WASH agenda, and need to be filled especially now, in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Disconnects exist between school book knowledge and WASH education interventions, between policy and implementation, and between theory and practice, revealing missed opportunities for effective and sustainable behaviour change, and underlining the need for better integration. Considering existing local educational materials and knowledge may facilitate the buy-in and involvement of teachers and school managers in strengthening education and implementing improvements. We suggest opportunities for future research, behaviour change interventions and decision-making to improve WASH in schools.

Poetry as Praxis + "Illumination": Toward an Epistemically Just Health Promotion for Resistance, Healing, and (Re)Imagination.

Health promotion is facing a most challenging future in the intersections of structural racism, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), racialized police violence, and climate change. Now is a critical moment to ask how health promotion might become more responsive to and representative of people's daily realities. Also how it can become a more inclusive partner in, and collaborative conduit of, knowledge-one capable of both informing intellects and transforming hearts. It needs to feel the pulse of the "fierce urgency of now," and perhaps nothing can reveal this pulse more than the creative power of art-especially poetry. Drawing from critical and Black feminist theory, I use commentary in prose to conceptualize and call for an epistemically just health promotion guided by poetry as praxis-not just as method. I posit that, as praxis rooted in lived realities, poetry becomes experiential excavation and illumination; a practice of community, communion, and solidarity; a site and source of healing; and a space to create new narratives of health to forge new paths toward its promotion. I accordingly suggest a need to view and value poetry as a critical scholarship format to advance health promotion knowledge, discourse, and action toward a more humanized pursuit-and narrative-of health equity.

Low Knowledge and Lack of Awareness Regarding the Mass Drug Administration Health Promotion as the Determinant Factors in Non-Compliance to the Mass Drug Administration Health Program

From the total population of the community in Kuningan District, 78.61% were taking filariasis drugs in the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) program in 2017. Cilimus Subdistrict became a filariasis-endemic area in Kuningan with 72.39% of the MDA program coverage in 2017 (government target &gt;86%). The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinant factors of compliance with the MDA program. The study was an analytical study with a cross-sectional design and conducted from May to June 2018. The sample of 106 people was taken from the population living in Cilimus Subdistrict, Kuningan District, using a simple random sampling technique. Independent variables were collected by a constructed questionnaire included age, education level, knowledge, attitude, health promotion, and family support. A questionnaire also measured compliance with MDA as a dependent variable. Data analysis consisted of univariate, bivariate (chi-square and Fisher exact test), and multivariate analyses (multiple logistic regression). The results showed that the variables of knowledge, attitude, MDA health promotion, and family support influence compliance with the MDA (p-value &lt; 0.05). Low knowledge and unawareness of the MDA health promotion proved to be the dominant factors in non-compliance with the MDA program.

Capitalization of Health Promotion Initiatives within French Sports Clubs.

The settings-based approach to health promotion within sports clubs is a growing field of research. Evidence of health promotion intervention effectiveness in scientific literature is scarce, and little is known about their implementation mechanisms. The present study explores how promising health promotion interventions in eight French sports clubs are developed, and how the health promoting sports club’s intervention planning framework is applied. A method to collect Experiential Knowledge in health promotion was used, based on two iterative interviews to analyze intervention mechanisms and completed with document analysis. A deductive analysis using the health promoting sports club intervention planning framework was then undertaken. Among the 14 evidence-driven strategies, 13 were implemented in sports clubs (min = 9; max = 13). Policies were not targeted by any of the interventions. Key competencies of the managers of these health promotion interventions were identified: (1) having a deep understanding of the public and environment, (2) acquiring a high capacity to mobilize internal and external human resources, (3) possessing communication skills and (4) having an ability to write grant applications. By using evidence-driven strategies and intervention components, sports professionals can use this experiential knowledge to create successful and sustainable interventions.

Public Health and Health Promotion Knowledge among Certified Exercise Professionals and Health Coaches

Public Health and Health Promotion Knowledge among Certified Exercise Professionals and Health Coaches

The role of health promotion in the development of ear and hearing health services in the Pacific Islands : A literature review.

The Pacific Islands have among the highest rates of ear disease and hearing loss in the world. Ear and hearing health services are limited in this region; however, a significant proportion of avoidable hearing loss and disability may be addressed through public health promotion activities. In order to develop appropriate hearing health education campaigns and promotion initiatives, knowledge and attitude studies among target population groups are vital. This review aimed to summarize the research literature on knowledge and attitude to ear disease and hearing loss in the Pacific Islands in order to develop appropriate health promotion campaigns for our context in Samoa. PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for relevant journal articles. Key search terms were ‘Pacific Islands’, ‘ear disease’, ‘hearing loss’, ‘knowledge’, ‘attitudes’, and their relevant synonyms. There was no limit on the date of publication. Only one journal article met the review criteria. Parental knowledge and attitude to childhood hearing loss and hearing services in the Solomon Islands was overwhelmingly positive (96%–99.3%). There was high parental awareness of ear disease as a cause of hearing loss among children (94%) and high parental awareness of public health initiatives aimed at reducing ear disease and hearing loss such as routine childhood immunizations (84%) and breastfeeding (76%). Knowledge and attitude studies among key stakeholders are needed to develop appropriate health promotion activities to reduce the preventable causes of hearing loss in the Pacific Islands. Health promotion activities should prioritize major public health issues of ear disease and noise-induced hearing loss.

The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Secondary High School Students Regarding Food Safety and Hygiene in Khorramdarreh, Iran

Background: The studies on children and adolescents provide the basic information for educational interventions such as the assessment of the knowledge of community health promotion. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of secondary high school students regarding food safety and hygiene in Khorramdarreh, Zanjan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 640 secondary high school students during December 2014-December 2015. The participants were selected via cluster sampling, and data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire after assessing its validity and reliability. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16. Results: The mean scores of the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the students were 36.6±6.96 (moderate), 57.95±6.88 (favorable), and 40.59±5.80 (favorable), respectively. The lowest knowledge level of the students was observed in milk and egg hygiene (27%), meat hygiene (35%), effect of temperature on microorganisms (35%), and brucellosisrelated aspects (7.33%). Conclusion: Although the students had a positive attitude toward food safety, they had inadequate knowledge of the effects on their practices. Therefore, it seems that training is essential in the food safety and hygiene fields for students and their parents.

Health promotion competencies for promoting child-oral health: Victorian multidisciplinary workforce perspectives.

Population oral health (OH) improvements depend on successful, coordinated execution of oral health promotion (OHP) programs by both oral and general health professionals with key competencies (skills, abilities, knowledge and values). This study explored multidisciplinary professionals' perspectives of the competencies required for the successful implementation of a community-based OHP program called Smiles 4 Miles (S4M) in early childhood settings in Victoria, Australia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit multidisciplinary professionals working in the S4M early childhood health promotion program in Victoria. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with program managers/coordinators (n=26) from 21 S4M sites and the state-wide program coordination team (n=5). Focus groups explored OHP competency needs, capacity to promote child OH and strategies for enhancing OHP competencies. The competencies identified through focus groups were then compared to the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) competencies framework. Strategies to enhance individual and organisational OHP competencies included intersectoral collaborations; working in multidisciplinary teams; support networks and partnerships; sharing skills and expertise between health professionals. The OHP competencies identified by the participants were consistent with key IUHPE domains including ethical values and health promotion knowledge base underpinning, enabling change, advocacy for health, mediating through partnerships, communication, leadership, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and research. A multidisciplinary workforce based in community settings can play key and complementary roles in OHP and widen avenues for oral disease prevention. SO WHAT?: Integrated collaborative workforce models involving multidisciplinary professionals beyond the OH sector can more effectively support efforts to address the burden of oral disease.