EVALUATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN PREVENTIVE MEDICINE: HOW COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS CAN EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH

Background: Preventive medicine plays a pivotal role in reducing disease burden and promoting overall well-being. Community-based health education programs can serve as a key strategy to empower individuals with the knowledge and practices necessary for preventive care. Objective: To determine how well a structured community health education program enhances both preventive health knowledge and self-reported safety practices within urban adult populations. Methodology: This quantitative pre-post interventional study was conducted from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024. A total of 180 adult participants were enrolled through convenience sampling. The intervention comprised two interactive educational sessions covering hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, immunization, and disease screening. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPS instrument and administered before and four weeks after the intervention. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis; paired t-tests and chi-square tests evaluated differences in pre- and post-intervention knowledge and practices. Results: Out of 180 participants, 53.4% were female, and the majority were aged between 31–45 years. Most had education up to matriculation, and 61.1% were unemployed or housewives. Post-intervention, the mean knowledge score significantly increased from 9.9 ± 2.9 to 14.8 ± 2.4 (p < 0.0001). Preventive practices also improved markedly: handwashing (62% to 88%), daily physical activity (32% to 59%), fruit and vegetable intake (41% to 73%), routine health monitoring (25% to 47%), and awareness of adult vaccinations (16% to 45%), all with p < 0.0001. Knowledge gain was positively associated with education level. Conclusion: Community-based health education programs significantly enhance preventive health knowledge and behaviors. Such interventions can be vital in promoting public health at the grassroots level.