Publication: Impact of family health exercise program on health knowledge and practice of a rural population of eastern Nepal
Date
2006
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Background: It is important to know the impact of health education on community. This may lead to improve the
programs, commitment to students and staffs by taking feedback. These activities are aimed at producing changes in
the community.
Objective: To assess the impact of health education as intervention program during Family Health Exercise (FHE)
about the knowledge and practice of people related to health in a village of eastern Nepal.
Methods: During FHE, health education was given by the 3rd year medical students to the head of the 30 families.
The neighbour 30 families were taken as control, where no health education was given. These two groups were
compared after 6 months.
Results: Sanitary practice (Hand washing) before meal was known to both groups. But the material used for
washing hand (soap and ash) was 53% in intervention as compared to 30% in control group. People were aware
about the importance of care of the mother during pregnancy and lactation, but more in intervention group. The
knowledge and practice for starting semisolid food other than breast milk for infants during weaning were higher in
intervention (89%) than control (31%) group.
Conclusion: There was significant change in the knowledge and practice of woman (mainly host) who received
health education. The community also benefited in terms of their health knowledge and practices. Such programs are
useful for the community at large.
Key words: Family Health Exercise, Impact of Health Education, Health education, Nepal.