Impact of health education on regular health behavior in improving health outcomes among the fdmn community in rohingya refugee settlement, cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Background: The Rohingya population encounters a multitude of health-related obstacles while residing in densely populated refugee camps that are constrained in terms of resources. These challenges encompass both communicable and non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, and restricted availability of healthcare services. Health education programs have been implemented in order to enhance the health behavior and health status of the Rohingya refugees, as a means of addressing the aforementioned health concerns. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to find out the impact of health education on regular health behavior in improving health status among the FDMN community in Rohingya refugee settlement, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey on Rohingya refugee people (N=510) living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh was conducted to assess the impact of health education on the health behavior. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews after having voluntary consent from the participants using a pre-tested, structured and language validated questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and behavioral practices on different health outcomes. Randomized, Non probability and purposivesampling methods were followed. Results: A total of 510 refugee people were enrolled in this study where maximum participants’ age was between 21-30 years (n=224, 43.9%). Male and female respondents’ participation was nearly equal (male: n=264, 51.8%; female: n=246, 48.2%). About half of the respondents (n=277, 54.3%) were illiterate or did not have any institutional education. Socio-demographic variables showed significant association with different diseases-based knowledge and attitudes. Impact of health education was found noticeable as The impact of health education might be regarded as satisfactory as 71% respondents are currently using anti-mosquito nets/coils/spray where it was 57% during 6 months back. Here 68% respondents found practicing hand wash properly before meal and after toilet with soap compared to 51% during 6 months back. It was seen that 61% respondents knew about essential nutrients where it was 47% during 6 months back. Again 73% respondents thought that fruits & vegetables are good sources of vitamins & minerals which was recorded 68% in 6 months back. 78% respondents used to wash fruits, vegetables and other raw foods before consumption which was 61% before 6 months. Also seen that 66% respondents believed that healthy lifestyle and healthy food habit can prevent diseases (both communicable and non-communicable) where 52% thought similar in 6 months earlier. Discussion and Conclusion: According to this study, we found that Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh got many opportunities, benefits and cooperation in many ways like shelter, food-nutrition support, healthcare facilities, safety, safe drinking water access, health education through many health communication approaches from Bangladesh Government, local authority, local NGOs and different global NGOs. We observed that socio-demographic characteristics, health education related knowledge and attitudes were correlated. The findings showed that age and education shape health knowledge and attitudes. Health education's impact on Rohingya refugees is consistent with other refugee studies, indicating its value in improving health outcomes. Beside these, there was a satisfactory impact of health education in improving the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding different health issues.