ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the methods and effects of health education on brucellosis, iodine deficiency disorders and leprosy, and consolidate the achievements of endemic diseases and leprosy control. Methods Three groups of local residents, students and medical staff were selected for health education intervention in Tongguan County of Weinan City, Shaanxi Province in 2017. Among the three groups, the choice of different propaganda modes (brucellosis case warning film, iodine deficiency disorders public service advertisement, leprosy knowledge preaching, etc.) and propaganda materials (promotional foldout, brochure, leaflet, shopping bag, etc.) were compared. At the same time, questionnaire survey was used to compare the awareness rate of health knowledge before and after intervention. Results A total of 375 people were surveyed. On the propaganda modes , 296 people chose to watch the brucellosis case warning film, accounting for 78.93％ (296/375); 184 people chose to watch the iodine deficiency disorders public service advertisement, accounting for 49.07％ (184/375); 286 people chose leprosy knowledge preaching, accounting for 76.27％ (286/375); and 117 people chose to read information , accounting for 31.20％ (117/375). On the propaganda materials, 185 people chose promotional foldout, accounting for 49.33％ (185/375); 232 people chose brochure, accounting for 61.87％ (232/375); 76 people chose leaflet, accounting for 20.27％ (76/375); 277 people chose shopping bag, accounting for 73.87％ (277/375); and 286 people chose exercise book, accounting for 76.27％ (286/375). Before intervention, the total awareness of health knowledge of brucellosis, iodine deficiency disorders and leprosy was 62.18％ (4197/6750), 61.49％ (1153/1875) and 30.02％ (788/2625), respectively; after intervention, the total awareness of health knowledge of brucellosis, iodine deficiency disorders and leprosy was 91.13％(6151/6750), 89.49％(1678/1875) and 89.22％(2342/2625), respectively . The differences were statistically significant before and after intervention (χ2= 1580.30, 397.28, 1910.65, P < 0.01). Conclusions Warning film, knowledge preaching and the issuance of shopping bag and exercise book methods are more popular and more easily accepted by all types of people. Short term health education has a certain effect. In order to acquire and form good health knowledge behaviors really, it is necessary to carry out long-term, extensive and sustained, and diversified work of healthy education.