Effect of an instructional scheme on Knowledge and skills related to health promotion among nursery school caregivers

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to improve nursery school caregivers' knowledge and practice related to care of preschool children. This aim was to be reached through achievement of the following objectives: To assess caregivers knowledge and practice concerning health promotion of children in the nursery school; To develop and implement an educational training program for health promotion and childcare for those caregivers and To evaluate the effect of the training program on caregivers' knowledge and practices. A quasi-experimental design was used in carrying out this study, with a pre-post assessment. The study subjects consisted of 50 caregivers, supervisors and workers selected from different nursery schools in Assiut City. The city is divided into East and West regions. The total number of nursery schools in Assiut City is 67. Ten nursery schools were randomly selected from this total, five from East and five front West regions. Two Tools for data collection first tool was an interview questionnaire form consisted of two parts. The first part was for the demographic data of the respondent, and included, age, residence, education, job position, and years of experience. The second part was for knowledge assessment, and covered heath promotion definition, forms, and types, nutrition, accidents definition and types, vaccination, definition, types, and objectives of play, rest and sleep, exercise, and hygiene. Second tool was observation checklist used to assess the practice of caregivers and/or supervisors regarding steps of measuring vital signs, hand washing, mouth, nose and eye care, application of bandage and cold compresses, and care for nose bleeding. Result reveled that most of the study subjects were younger than 30 years of age [60.0%], married [82.0%], were university graduates [56.0%], and had experience of five years or more [86.0%]. Only one-tenth of them [10.0%] had previously attended training programs. the mean scores of knowledge among nursery staff members before and after implementation of the educational program. It points to statistically significant improvements in all the tested areas at the post-test [p<0.001]. Concerning practice, similarly indicates statistically significant improvements in the mean scores in the post-test, compared to the pre-test [p<0.001]. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the majority of caregivers and/or supervisors of nursery schools had low levels of knowledge and practice about health promotion and preschooler childcare. Implementation of an educational program incorporating theory and practice led to significant improvements in their related knowledge and practice. In the light of these results, it is recommended to implement this program and similar ones to all nursery school staff as a part of their continuing education, with periodic refresher courses addressing various aspects of preschoolers' health promotion. The community health nurse and pediatric nurse should have a prominent role in these training programs. Also, the undergraduate curriculum of the childhood department of the faculty of education should include theoretical knowledge and clinical practice of health promotion