Longitudinal effect of health team education about geriatric health in Egypt

ABSTRACT

In Egypt, the number of people over 60 years old and over was 5.1% in the year 1986 census and is expected to increase to 7.7% by the year 2010 and 12.4% by the year 2025 [CAPMAS, 1996]. Increasing the number of elderly population added new health problems to the health authorities as the old people are more susceptible to many physical, mental, and social health problems [Kassem 2000]. the present study aimed to upgrade the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of the PHC-providers towards the health needs and problems of the geriatric population in Egypt through implementation of health education course study [pre and post test] design. Analytical intervention study [pre and post test] was conducted in Five governorates in Egypt [Ismailia, Damietta, Al Dakahlia, Benisuef, and Assiuot]. Seven hundred and fifty PHC-providers, randomly selected from 5 govemorates in Egypt were invited to participate in the study, and after the pre-test they were engaged in the educational course [a self-directed learning package] on geriatric health needs and problems. The PHC-providers were 50 Physicians, 50 Nurses, and 50 Health educators from each governorate. A questionnaires of, 15 items for Physicians and Nurses and 17 items for Health educators based on current geriatric health needs and problems were used. The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were calculated in pre and post tests for each group of physicians, nurses and health educators. A paired sample t-test was used to detect the differences between the means of knowledge, attitude and practice scores of pre-test and post-test. One way ANOVA test and Post Hoc test [Bonferroni test] were done to clarify the significant differences in [KAP] among the five govemorates at the pre-test and post-test and for the percentage of change between both tests. The SPSS [10.0] program was used for data analysis. The scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in the pre test were much lower than that in the post test scores and a statistical significant differences [P<0.05] were found among the participants PHC providers in all govemorates. Multiple comparisons [post Hoc tests] of knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of PHC providers in the five studied Govemorates revealed marked variations. 149. Tbis study displayed the important of ntinuing medical education, and also demonstrated the needs of PHC providers for medical education courses about geriatric health needs and problems