Community Health Literacy Program in Urban Slums of Bangladesh
Keywords:
health literacy, urban slums, community health program, Bangladesh, health education, public health interventionAbstract
Urban slums in Bangladesh face significant health challenges due to limited access to healthcare services and inadequate health literacy among residents. This study examines the implementation and effectiveness of a community health literacy program designed to improve health knowledge, preventive practices, and health-seeking behaviors among urban slum dwellers. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 450 participants across five major slum communities in Dhaka. Results revealed substantial improvements in health literacy scores, increased utilization of primary healthcare services, and enhanced disease prevention practices following the six-month intervention. The program's participatory approach, utilizing community health workers and culturally adapted educational materials, proved effective in addressing barriers to health information access. These findings underscore the importance of targeted health literacy interventions in reducing health disparities and improving population health outcomes in resource-constrained urban settings.
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