تاثیر رابطین بهداشت در تغییر آگاهی و عملکرد خانوارهای شهری(تهران ، سنندج و شهرکرد)

  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of volunteer women in changing the health knowledge and practice of families that were under the coverage of urban health centres in Tehran (south area), Sanandaj and Shahr-e-Kord. This study was a quasi-experimental research. In each area one centre with volunteers programme was selected as experimental and a centre without such programme was selected as control centre. The experimental and control centres were matched in terms of social and economical levels of population they served. Subjects were 400 married women (aged 15 to 49), their children (aged 1 to 4) and infants (aged 12 to 18 months). Data were collected through interview and questionnaire. In the experimental centres before providing this service the subject's knowledge of health issues and their health practice were measured. After the completion of the programme, samples were selected from both experimental and control centres. Pre-test and post-test measures in the two groups were compared. The results showed that this programme ted to a significant increase in the knowledge and practice of the experimental groups in the south area of Tehran. These changes were also seen in Sanandaj and Shahr-e-Kord but were not statistically significant. In terms of the functioning of the mothers with children aged 14 years old only those in the south area in Tehran showed significant improvement. No significant changes in the functioning of the mothers in Sanandaj and Shahr-e-Kord were noted. Although some improvement in terms of child care is demonstrated by mothers in south Tehran but findings of other regions do not indicate any noticeable change.