Effect of community practical training on community residents’ health during the COVID-19 epidemic: A prospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background Community practice training is an important part of education in medicine, public health, social medicine, and other disciplines. The objective of this study is to explore the effect and importance of the community practice of Master of Public Health graduates on community residents’ health during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 epidemic. Methods This study used a prospective study design. A total of 152 participants with age ≥ 60 years were selected using a multistage sampling method from Hangzhou in China. Baseline and endline data were collected using structured questionnaires by face-to-face interviews. All psychological and behavioral measurements were performed using standardized instruments and showed good reliability and validity. A total of 147 participants were included in the analysis. The chi-square and rank sum tests were used to compare the difference between baseline and endline for categorical variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between community practice training and changes in psychology and behavior. Results The result of chi-square test showed that the eating habits of participants were different at endline and baseline (p = 0.001). Participants reported that the self-perceived health status from “very good” to “not good” was different between endline and baseline by the rank sum test (p = 0.036). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that community practice training was significantly associated with increased self-efficacy scores and cognitive function, with odd ratios (ORs) of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.13, p < 0.001) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83–0.98, p < 0.013), respectively. The change in eating habits was also statistically significant at endline (p = 0.009). Conclusions Community practice training was associated with changes in health behavior and psychology of community residents. Our results suggested enhanced community practice training for students under the Master of Public Health program.