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Miri M, Ramazani A, Hanafi H. The influence of performing "The Health Communication Plan" in suburban villages on the health knowledge and attitude of rural women. J Birjand Univ Med Sci. 2005; 12 (1 and 2) :9-15
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-40-en.html

Background and Aim: Access to stable social development requires the cooperation of all members of a community. Providing and improving health standard is one of the most fundamental dimensions of human social evolution, which more than the other aspects of development demands public cooperation. Health communicators are the forerunners of this cooperation, who have voluntarily set out having the public participate in providing and elevating the level of community health. The present study aimed at determining the effect of performing "The Health Communication Plan" by heath communicators in suburban villages on the health knowledge and attitude of rural women.
Materials and Methods: In this relatively experimental study, knowledge and attitude of 121 females (15-49 Yrs), who were under the supervision of health communicators in four suburban villages (as the case group)-before and after performing the health communicator plan- were compared with those of 49 females (15-49 Yrs) who were in other four suburban villages (as the control group) lacking health communicators under two rural health centers. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed by means of paired t- test and "sign" at the significant level P≤0.05.

Results: After performing health communicator plans, the mean of rural women's health knowledge and attitude had increased and there was a significant difference between pre and post interventions in the two groups (P≤0.001). Comparing the means of the two groups revealed a significant difference (P≤0.001).
Conclusion: Regarding the findings of the study and the positive effect of performing suburban health communicator plan on the health knowledge and attitude of rural women, it seems that suburban health communicators are very helpful and effective in improving the knowledge and attitude level of rural women. Thus, performing the plan all over rural health centers is recommended