Suitability assessment of health education brochures in Qassim province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Health education is the cornerstone of primary health care. Health education materials distributed to the community should, therefore, be suitable and effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health education brochures, designed and disseminated by Ministry of Health institutions in the Qassim province. The study was a cross-sectional review of health education brochures. We used a structured evaluation form, comprising general information on the brochures and a modified Suitability Assessment of Materials [SAM] score sheet. The SAM consisting of 22 criteria in six groups, includes content, literacy demands, graphics, layout/typography, learning stimulation/motivation, and cultural appropriateness. SAM criteria categorize written material into "superior," "adequate" and "not suitable." Two qualified consultant family physicians evaluated the brochures. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 3.4 statistical package. We evaluated 110 brochures, the majority of which addressed chronic health conditions such as mental health, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Seventy-four [67.3%] brochures were evaluated as "adequate," 34 [30.9%] as "not suitable" and 2 [1.8%] as "superior." "Cultural appropriateness" was the highest scoring factor, with 92 [83.6%] brochures falling into either the "superior" or "adequate" category. With regard to "content," 88 [80.0%] brochures fell into either the "superior" or "adequate" category. This was the second highest scoring factor. Graphics was the factor that scored the least. Seventy-five [68.2%] brochures were rated in this factor as "not suitable." Although two-thirds of our brochures were considered "adequate," the majority needed improvement to their graphics and learning stimulation factors. We recommend that guidelines for designing health education brochures should be formulated to improve the quality of health education brochures

Breast cancer. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of breast self examination among women in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia

To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of women in Qassim region regarding breast self examination [BSE], and also to explore their level of knowledge regarding breast cancer. We conducted a cross-sectional survey during the period from May to June 2005, among Saudi female patients attending the Primary Health Care Centers of Qassim region. A total of 300 females, 20-70 years of age, were interviewed in 10 randomly selected primary health care centers. The mean age of the participants was 36.2 +/- 10.2 years, and 70.7% of them were literate. Regarding the knowledge of risk factors, 76% of the respondents had 3 or more correct answers out of the total 7 questions. Twenty-six percent of the respondents did not know the presenting symptom of breast cancer. Whereas, 69.7% of the participants had never heard of BSE. The participants had a positive attitude towards learning BSE. Of the total respondents, 18.7% reported that they practice BSE, majority [57%] of whom had started performing it within the previous year. However, 74% of the respondents did not have access to breast health information. This study concludes that the level of awareness of the females of Qassim region regarding breast cancer and BSE is not adequate and a health education program for this subject should be introduced in the region

Evaluation study of the training programmes for health personnel in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

This study evaluates the health-related educational programmes conducted by the Continuous Medical Education and Community Services Centre, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. All the proformas containing data on evaluation and monitoring of several programmes were retrieved and analysed. The medical education training programmes satisfactorily met the aims and objectives of the courses and the expectations of the trainees and trainers. Feedback from targeted groups was important for rectifying any weaknesses revealed during evaluation. The training programmes were effective and produced favourable changes in the knowledge of both trainees and trainers and should help in updating courses for future training