Opportunities and barriers in health education and community awareness program: a qualitative study from Indian tertiary care teaching hospital

Abstract Background Health education is an important public health intervention that promotes disease prevention, awareness generation, and healthy behavioural practices within communities. Undergraduate medical students are increasingly involved in community-based health education activities; however, they often encounter several operational and communication-related challenges during field implementation. This study explored the perceptions of undergraduate medical students regarding the challenges and opportunities in imparting health education in community settings. Methods A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted among third-year undergraduate medical students in the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar between July 2022 and October 2022. Participants were selected through purposive sampling after attending health education training and participating in community-based health education activities. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data saturation was achieved after nine interviews; additional interviews were conducted to improve data richness. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti. Results A total of fifteen undergraduate medical students participated in the study. Participants perceived health education as an important tool for improving community awareness, preventive healthcare, and medication adherence. Interactive methods such as skits, role-plays, posters, demonstrations, and local-language communication were considered effective in enhancing community engagement. Major challenges identified included language barriers, inadequate training, limited institutional support, logistical constraints, poor community participation, and excessive workload among community mobilizers. Students emphasized that collaboration with ASHA workers and community mobilizers improved rapport building and public participation. Opportunities identified included stronger faculty mentorship, better planning, culturally sensitive communication, community-centred educational strategies, and enhanced institutional and community support. Conclusion Undergraduate medical students recognized the importance of health education in improving community health; however, several communication, organisational and logistical barriers affected its implementation in community settings. Strengthening community-oriented medical education, local-language communication skills, faculty mentorship, and collaboration with community mobilizers may improve the effectiveness and sustainability of community health education programmes.