Healthwhiz: Assessing the Level of Knowledge among Children Aged 10 Years Old and Below Together With Their Parents about Communicable Diseases in A Community Setting

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine the level of knowledge among children aged 10 years old and below together with their parents about communicable diseases (Bronchiolitis, Influenza, Malaria, Pneumonia, Varicella) in a community setting. A 15-item survey questionnaire that consist of a multiple-choice test, was used to assess the level of knowledge of children aged 10 and below together with their parents. To assess the acceptability of HealthWhiz Information Dissemination Booklet, a 20-item checklist questionnaire was adopted and modified to identify the feedback of the children with the help of their parents after using HealthWhiz booklet in its adequacy, coherence, appropriateness, and usefulness. Data were gathered and analyzed using the research and development project to assess the level of knowledge. The analysis of data was presented using frequency count, percentage and mean. The result showed a ‘high’ level of knowledge on the children with their parents about the communicable diseases (Bronchiolitis, Influenza, Malaria, Pneumonia, Varicella) that was based on the accumulated overall mean results of the respondents. A booklet was created to educate the parents about the communicable diseases. In terms of content, appeal to the target audience and efficacy, the acceptability of HealthWhiz as an information dissemination material was rated as ‘very highly acceptable’. The result indicates that the HealthWhiz booklet as an information dissemination material was effective and can help children and their parents have a better understanding about the different communicable diseases in a community setting.