The Assessment of Health Education Standard Development Process of Health Care Unit Officers, Ministry of Public Health

Abstract

The objective of the assessment of health education standard development process was to evaluate
knowledge of health care unit officers, Ministry of Public Health regarding the implementation process of the
health education standard and to evaluate satisfaction on health education practices according to the health
education standard practice guidelines. The survey research design was devised for this study. The study
samples were 315 health officers who were responsible for the implementation of health education in health
care units of the Ministry of Public Health. They were selected from primary, secondary, and tertiary health
care units that passed the health education standard criteria and was certified by Health Education Department,
Health Service Support Division, Ministry of Public Health. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected
via self-administered questionnaire and structured interview questionnaire. Percentage, mean, and standard
deviation were mainly employed to analyze the data.
Results of the study revealed that 70 percent of the health care unit officers who were responsible for the
implementation of health education were women with the average age of 40 years. About 39 percent of them
gained bachelor degree in public health and 26 percent had degree in nursing. Most of them were responsible
for health education of the units about 5 years. Almost 90 percent had knowledge in relation to health education
standard at the moderate level. In implementing 9 elements of health education, mostly followed the procedures
guided in the health education standard guideline/handbook of Health Education Department, Health Service
Support Division. Most of them had high level of satisfaction on the handbook (
x
=3.85, S.D.=0.74), the
supportive in implementing health education standard from the Health Education Department
( x =3.55, S.D.=0.80), and the process in implementing the 9 elements standard (
x
=3.66, S.D.=0.78). These
results indicate the necessary that the health care unit officers who will be in charge of health education
services of the unit must have essential knowledge in implementing health education. In order to enhance them
to elevate the quality of health education practices up to the standard level, a clear and practical handbook or
guideline must be available for them. It is recommended that the Health Education Department or the Provincial
Health Office should provide yearly continuation training on health education standard for the responsible
health officers.