The Effectiveness of CHIRP FAST Program on Knowledge, Perception, Efficacy and Protective Behavior of Cerebrovascular Disease in Village Health Volunteers

Abstract

The objective of this quasi-experimental research was to study the effectiveness of CHIRP FAST program on knowledge, perception, efficacy and protective behavior on cerebrovascular disease in village health volunteers. Study was conducted in Khlongchilom community, Kantang, Trang Province, between September and November 2018. Thirty health volunteers from Khlongchilom community (study group) and 30 health volunteers from Bangmark community (control group) were randomly recruited with support from community leaders. The research instruments were: 1) the CHIRP FAST program, 2) knowledge questionnaire, 3) perception questionnaire, 4) efficacy questionnaire, and 5) protective behavior of cerebrovascular disease questionnaire. Data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, Paired T-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Independent T-test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results revealed that after 4 weeks of CHIRP FAST Program, there were significant improvements in the scores on knowledge (p< 0.001), perception (p=0.012) and protective behavior (p=0.028). The participants in the study group had significantly higher scores in knowledge, perception, efficacy, and protective behavior of cerebrovascular disease after receiving the intervention. While the mean scores in the control group between the pretest and post-test showed no significant improvements (P<0.05). There were significant differences in all scores between study group and control group (p <0.05). These findings indicated that a CHIRP FAST program could improve to knowledge, perception, efficacy and protective behavior of cerebrovascular disease in these village health volunteers. This program can be developed to be applied to other target groups with a risk of cerebrovascular disease or any other health care facilities. However, the program can be expected to vary across regions due to differences in origin and cultural diversity.