The Effect of Acute Respiratory Infection Education by Rural Health Technicians and Behvarz Training Center Instructors on Knowledge and Practice of Behvarzes

Introduction: The possibility to use rural health technicians as instructors for on going education of Behvarzes, is an issue that should be considered. The effect of training by rural health technicians and Behvarzes’ instructors on knowledge and practice of Behvarzes in Isfahan district were compared in this study. Methods: In an interventional study performed as field trial, 84 Behvarzes were selected and divided to two groups randomly. The knowledge and practice of Behvarzes were measured using a questionnaire and a checklist, respectively. Before starting the education, an educational course related to Acute Respiratory Infection including 12 hours lecture and group discussion was conducted for the health technicians. Then, the first group of Behvarzes was trained by instructors of Behvarz training center and the second group by health technicians using lecture, group discussion and practical education for 24 hours. The knowledge and practice of Behvarzes were measured after the education. The data was analyzed by SPSS software, using mean, standard deviation, paired t-test, independent t-test, covariance analyses and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: Behvarzes’ score in knowledge and practice increased significantly after education in both groups. The increased mean scores of knowledge were 3.9±2.59 and 2.73±2.67 in the groups trained by instructors and technicians, respectively. Also, the increased mean score of practice were 12.13±4.13 and 5.9±3.88 in the groups trained by instructors and technicians, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the score of Behvarzes’ knowledge and practice with their experience. The increase in knowledge and practice scores of the group trained by instructors was significantly more than the group trained by technicians. Conclusion: The difference between the increased knowledge scores in the two groups is at an extent that shows we can use technicians instead of instructors for increasing Behvarzes’ knowledge. But, as far as Behvarzes’ practice is concerned we should better not use technicians for improving their practice.