Original article
English
Fathi M. Sherif 1, Abdulbaset A. Elfituri 2, Mohamed S. Elmahaishi 3, Theodore H. MacDonald 4
1-Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Fateh Medical University, Tripoli. 2-Department of Pharmaceutics, 7th April University, Zawia. 3-Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Al Fateh Medical University,Tripoli 4-London Metropolitan University, London, United Kingdom,
JMJ 2010,Vol.10, No.1:48-53
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization advocated that the role of health sector must move increasingly in a health promotion direction. The health professionals’ role represents a major contribution in community health promotion and education. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of Libyan health professionals on their role to provide health education to the general public, to determine barriers and to suggest actions for a more effective role. Methods: A close-ended questionnaire was distributed to 500 health professionals from different backgrounds and within different fields of health services at five major population regions in Libya. Participants were requested to tick in front of the perceived correct answer. Questions covered responsibility, importance and effectiveness of the existing role of health professionals in health education. Participants were also asked to tick in front of the degree of agreement they perceived against each of a list of barriers for delivering effective health education. In addition a list of related possible suggested solutions for improving health practice were presented as well. Results: Sixty percent (n=300) out of 500 health professionals responded to the questionnaire. About 85% perceived that they were responsible for providing health education. However, almost all (98.9%) considered this role as a very important or important. Effectiveness of their existing role was assessed differently. Participants perceived that the lack of educational aids and materials, and the low held priority for health education as the main barriers. They suggested primarily overcoming these barriers in order to improve the service. Conclusion: Most study participants considered their role in health education as important and perceived that they were responsible for this role with different assessments to their existing role.
Keywords: Health, Professionals, Education and Promotion, Libya.
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/images/stories/spring2010/48.pdf