Factors that Decrease Sedentary Behavior in Community-Dwelling Elderly People: A Longitudinal Study

Background and objectives: This study was to clarify how the frequency of participation in a health class affected the reduction in sedentary behavior after two years, and whether decreases in sedentary behavior in elderly people who participated in a health class persisted two years after the end of an intervention. Materials and Methods: This study was longitudinal, and the results of a previous study conducted in 2017 were added to the findings of a different year. The participants were elderly health class members at a community dwelling in Japan who participated between 2016 and 2018. Of the 86 participants that were enrolled, the data of 80 were collected in 2016. A year later, in a 2017 follow-up, the number of participants was 80, and two years later, in a 2018 follow-up, there were 71 participants. Results: There was a significant difference with regards to the reduction of the sedentary behavior rate between two different groups (a health class participation rate of more than 75% and the other with less than 75%) two years later. However, no difference in sedentary behavior rate was found between the two groups (intervention group and control group) at a two-year follow-up, despite observing differences after one year. Conclusions: Continuous participation in a health class may help reduce sedentary behavior. After two years, “Active Guide” brochures and documents may not help in reducing sedentary behavior, despite seeing improvements after one year. Persistent social participation may have a more lasting effect than one-off interventions in reducing the sedentary behavior ratio.

The effectiveness of schistosomiasis health education session in primary and secondary schools in Pemba Island, Zanzibar

Background: Schistosomiasis seriously endangers the health of African people, hinders local economic and social development, and becomes a serious local public health problem. However, in addition to preventive chemotherapy, other social, environmental and health promotion measures are progressing slowly, lack of sanitation, treated water, and systematic health education, the people are still at risk of infection. In 2011, a survey of 24 school in Zanzibar showed that the average infection rate of Schistosoma haematobium was 8% (0-38%) in Unguja, and was 15% (1-43%) in Pemba. Methods: According to the shape of the island, the island is divided into three regions: the south, the middle, and the north. A Shehia in the southern, central and northern parts of Pemba Island was randomly selected respectively, the schistosomiasis health education session was conducted in primary and secondary schools of the selected Shehias. The students were randomly selected for schistosomiasis cognitive level test by designed questionnaire including 8 knowledge questions and 4 behavior questions before and after health education, through a chi-square test of the awareness rate and the correct behavior rate of schistosomiasis before and after the health education, the effect of health education session was evaluated. Result: A total 712 students were sampled before and after the health education in 8 schools. Before the health education session, the awareness rates of schistosomiasis were 64.62% and 68.75% among primary and secondary school respectively. After the session, the awareness rates increased to 79.74% and 84.70% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=179.3, P<0.0001). Before the sessions, the correct behavior rates were 63.96% and 54.79% among boys and girls. After the sessions, the correct behavior rates increased to 82.83% and 76.58%, and the difference was also statistically significant (χ2=143.8, P<0.0001). Conclusion: The awareness rate and correct behavior rate of schistosomiasis were low in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, hence the schistosomiasis health education needs to be strengthened. The schistosomiasis health education session has an obvious effect on the improvement of cognitive level of schistosomiasis among local students. This method can be promoted and implemented in local schools with the effort of local health and education departments.