Lynley Rowan, PhD, Community Health, Utah Valley State College, 800 West University Parkway, Orem, UT 84058, 801-863-6228, rowanly@uvsc.edu

Worldwide, epidemiologic data have documented a correlation between low education levels of mothers and an increase in illness, disease, morbidity, and mortality rates among families. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Laubach health education program on knowledge regarding issues of pregnancy, breast-feeding, and diarrhea among Dominican Republic women. A convenience sample of 66 women from the Dominican Republic volunteered to participate in the study: a) an intervention group of 30 and b) a convenience group of 36. The intervention group attended Laubach health education classes twice a week for 6 weeks that focused on health issues regarding pregnancy, breast-feeding, and diarrhea. A 43-item questionnaire was used to determine what effect the health education class had on knowledge among participants in the intervention group. All study participants completed the questionnaire at three time periods: pretest, posttest1, and posttest2. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in the interaction between time (pretest, posttest1, and posttest2) and group (intervention and control) with regard to pregnancy and diarrhea knowledge, indicating that knowledge regarding pregnancy and diarrhea increased in women who attended the Laubach health education class compared to women who did not attend the class. No statistically significant interaction was found between time and group regarding breast-feeding knowledge. It is recommended that more community-based health education programs be offered in an attempt to increase health literacy and empower people take action and work together to create a social change.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Discuss and apply the educational methodology and theoretical model used in this research to other public health settings.
• Identify benefits and barriers of international participatory research.
• Develop an evaluation for health education programs.

Keywords: International MCH, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.