J Nurs Acad Soc.  1973 May;3(2):111-120.

A Survey of the Effect of Nursing Students on Community Health Knowledge

• Cho WJ
• Kim ES
• Lee CS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the delivery of health services effects the health knowledge of the recepients of that service. It was hypothesized that the practical application of theory, though health services rendered by public health nursing students during their field experiences, would have a positive relationship with the quantity and quality of health knowledge of the female population of a given community. In April 1970, ninety five women(between an age 15-49) from Koyang-Gun were interviewed regarding their knowledge and attitudes in four areas of health; maternal health, child hsalth, family planning and tuberculosis prevention. After 1 1/2 years(Nov. 1971), during which time the women received home visits by student nurses, the women were again interviewed using the original questionnaire. Additionally, they were asked where they had received information about each question. During the 1 1/2 year period the visits were made by a total of 112 students. They visited the community twice a week. The result were as follows: Maternal health There was marked improvement in the knowledge of specific aspects of maternal health such as the proper instruments needed for cutting the cord and nutritional precaution of pregnancy (p<0. 05). In each case 42. 0 percent of more of this knowledge was attributed to information gained from the nursing students. However even after the nursing students' visits, the knowledge of other general areas of maternal remained poor. Child health There were increases in the knowledge of the respondents for the time to supplement breast feeding and for time to wean infants (p<0. 05). In each case 35. 0 percent or more of this information was attributed to the student. The increase in knowledge regarding types of immunization was more often attributed to the clinic nurse than to the nursing students. Knowledge of the necessity of booster immunization was poor both before and after the visits by the nursing students. Family planning There were significant increases in correct information regarding the time of I.U.D. insertion (p<0.05) and method of taking the oral pill (p<0.05). More than 42.0 percent of the increase was attributed to the nursing students' visits. However there was a slight decrease in correct information about concept of family planning. Tuberculosis There was a general lack of improvement in all areas concerned with tuberculosis. Two thirds of the respondents felt tuberculosis was hereditary and did not know what B.C.G. was. From this study, it could be concluded that in specific area the health knowledge cf the female population studied was positively effected by the visits of the nursing students. The study also, suggests, however, that there was a marked uneveness in the overall increase in health knowledge.This raises serious questions which require further research. Suggested areas for further research are (1) Adequacy of the course content preparing nurses for the field experience. (2) A public health nursing manual for student reference. (3) Where and when specific aspects of health can be taught most effectively.

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding
Child
Child Health
Family Planning Services
Female
Health Services
House Calls
Humans
Immunization
Immunization, Secondary
Infant
Maternal Health
Nursing*
Pregnancy
Public Health Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Students, Nursing*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tuberculosis