Title: [Evaluation of the influence of health education on nutrition]

POPLINE Document Number: 076211

Author(s):

Sanchez Miro J
Puche Togores E
Castro Martin B
Pastor Agudo R
Martinez Ortega R

Source citation:

ATENCION PRIMARIA, 1991 Dec;8(11):938-41.

Abstract:

A controlled randomized double-blind study was carried out in the Spanish village covered by the Fuenlabrada Health Center to assess the effectiveness of health education in relation to the changes it produces in both information and the general population's outlook on food consumption. 88 families agreed to take part, out of the 408 that made up the total sample for the field study on food consumption previously undertaken. There were 44 in the target group and 44 in the control group originating from the central area of the peninsula with low cultural level, a significant percentage of functional illiteracy, and medium-low income. 24 families in the intervention group (46% loss) and 35 in the control group (20% loss) completed the study. A group of nurses with degrees in Health Education delivered advice and instruction on diet and health to the families in the study group, during April, May, and June 1990 in a course for 20 hours in 3 sessions. 2 kinds of questionnaires, both previously validated, were used to measure the varying levels of food consumption and of information. These questionnaires were completed by both groups before and after the health education course. The level of knowledge, taking into account the number of positive answers in the information questionnaire, was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (p < .005). The level of food consumption was significantly higher in the meat consumption group, attaining an average of 3.08 (2.46-3.67) in the chi-square test. In the control group an average of 4.39 was obtained: (3.72-5.06, p < .005). The level of meat consumption, however, decreased from 5.73 to 3.6 in the intervention group (a 50% decline) vs. 5.83 to 4.39 in controls (only 20% yielding a significance of p < .002 by Student's t test. Health education improves the level of dietary knowledge in the general population, but a more extensive study is needed.

Keywords:

Spain
Double-Blind Studies
Control Groups
Health Education
Nutrition
Diet
Rural Population
Socioeconomic Status
Evaluation
Developed Countries
Europe, Southwestern
Europe
Studies
Research Methodology
Education
Health
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors