THE NEED OF INSTITUTING PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN KARACHI.

Objective: To determine the awareness, need, role, and the effectiveness of the health education programs in improvement of well being of the community/citizens. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted, from Aug to Dec 2015 at the four districts of Karachi city. Material and Methods: The instrument of the study was a questionnaire, including basic demographic information of the participants and other 20 items related to need and role of health education programs in control of diseases. A total 250 participants were selected through stratified random sampling design from residential areas of North, South, East and West districts of Karachi. Participants failed to answer item one of the questionnaire were excluded from the study. The data was then analyzed and expressed in percentages and graphs. Results: Total 189 residents were continued the participation belonging to the age group between 18-65 years. Majority of the respondents (96.82%) were in favor of organizing health education activities. About 75.13% believed that such programs have pronounced effect in management of diseases. Furthermore, participants (51.32%) were willing to attend health seminars/symposiums and workshops to be aware to their medical problems. It was also found that they have basic concept of immunization and harmful effects of smoking on health. Conclusion: Over all the residents of Karachi were well aware to the health education and its role in improvement of disease status. Residents showed positive response for participation in health education activities to manage their illness or medical problems. However, the present study involves a smaller population subjects. Authors highly recommended the institution of health education programs in hospitals and community to make the people and environment healthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]