Evaluation of health education interventions on Chinese factory workers’ knowledge, practices, and behaviors related to infectious disease

Abstract

Background: Workplaces are a common location for infectious disease transmission among adults. To provide recommendations regarding appropriate health promotion programs, we evaluated the impact of three different interventions on factory workers. Methods: In a prospective intervention study carried out from October 2012 to June 2013, three factories were selected and each was assigned a different intervention method (i.e. self-study group, manager training group and interactional group discussion group). Participants were scored on their knowledge, behavior, and hygienic practices related to infectious disease prevention both before and after the intervention. Results: A total of 1154 participants completed the survey before the intervention and 1111 completed the survey after. The sum infectious disease knowledge score in the manager training group was higher after the intervention (9.09/12) than before (8.63/12, t = 4.47, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in sum infectious disease knowledge score pre and post intervention for both the self-study group and the interactional group discussion. Conclusions: Overall, change in health behaviors and hygiene practices were not as affected compared to changes in knowledge after interventions related to infectious disease health promotion. Training managers who then interact with workers may be an effective and efficient way of educating workers on health issues. Keywords: Employee health program, Worksite health promotion, Health education, Infectious diseases, Respiratory illness, Enteric illness