EFFECTS OF HEALTH EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND ITS RISK FACTORS AMONG STUDENTS OF A SELECTED SCHOOL OF CHITWAN

Abstract

Background: There is rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and associated mortality in developing and moderately developed countries. Nepal is currently moving in a transition from infectious diseases to NCDs. In Nepal, NCDs are the leading causes of death with two thirds (66%) of death attributable to NCDs. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of the health educational intervention on knowledge towards NCDs and its’ risk factors among school students.

Methods: This study is quasi experimental pre-test-post-test design conducted among the plus-two students of a selected school of Chitwan. All the plus-two students studying at Sunrise school were enrolled for the study. Complete enumeration technique was used for selecting study units. A “one-hour educational intervention package” was administered by researcher themselves with NCDs and NCD risk factors related information. Pretested, self-constructed, structured questionnaire was administered 20-minute prior the intervention and immediately after the intervention. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed at 5% level of significance

Results: Median knowledge score was 9 out of total 25 in pretest and it increased to 19 after intervention.  The change in the score was significantly different in pre and posttest (p<0.001). Pre-test and post test scores were almost similar in both male and female except in pre-test in total knowledge score.

Conclusions: One-hour educational class room package was found effective to improve the NCD related knowledge of plus two students in study area.