Review of the Effectiveness of Health Education and Promotion Strategies in Preventing Respiratory Infectious Diseases

Authors

  • Abdullah Hussein Saleh Al Zubayd¹, Saleh Hashel Hassan Zubaid², Mahdi Mohammed Mahdi Al Hushayyish³, Abdul Rahman Masoud Ali Al Zabid⁴, Salem Hashel Hassan Al Zubaid⁵ Waleed Masoud Ali Zubayd⁶, Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Khuraim⁷, Hussin Mohamad Oshimah Al Grad⁸ Author details: 1. Social Specialist, Najran General Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 2. Epidemiology Technician, Hospitality Health Center for Vaccines, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 3. Social Worker, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 4. Pharmacy Specialist, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 5. Medical Social Worker, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 6. Epidemiological Observer, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 7. Sanitary Information Technician, Najran, Saudi Arabia. 8. Medical Social Worker, Najran, Saudi Arabia. Author

Abstract

Background:
Respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs), such as influenza, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, pose a significant global public health challenge due to their high transmissibility and morbidity. Health education and promotion strategies are critical for preventing RIDs, yet gaps in implementation and effectiveness persist. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of health education interventions in reducing the incidence of RIDs, improving knowledge, and fostering preventive behaviors.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and other databases using a PICO framework. Boolean operators (AND/OR) were used to refine the search strategy, which included keywords such as "respiratory infectious diseases," "health education," and "prevention." Studies published between 2010 and 2024 were included. Two independent reviewer groups screened titles, abstracts, and full texts using Rayyan.ai, with discrepancies resolved by a third group. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using standardized tools, such as the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.
Results:
Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Health education interventions significantly reduced the incidence of RIDs, with one study reporting a 31% reduction in acute respiratory infections. Educational programs improved knowledge and preventive behaviors, as evidenced by a further 55.2% increase in knowledge scores and a further 38.2% improvement in behavior scores among school students. However, disparities in health literacy and access to resources were evident, particularly in low-resource settings and among older adults. Innovative methods, such as web-based training and mobile health applications, enhanced intervention effectiveness.
Conclusions:
Health education and promotion strategies are effective in preventing RIDs, but challenges such as disparities in health literacy and behavioral barriers must be addressed. Tailored interventions, standardized evaluation methods, and sustained behavioral change strategies are needed to maximize the impact of health education programs. Future research should focus on scalability and cost-effectiveness, particularly in low-resource settings

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Published

2025-01-21