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lit, and the importance, source and credibility knowledge sources were important factors. All subjects reported using conventional treatments consistently. All expressed knowledge of one or more alternate treatments with a majority in- dicating an inconsistent (sporadic) use of alternate modalities. Other findings suggested that trust, desperation, cost and remission were also factors in treatment modality consideration and use. Dis- satisfaction with information dissemination by health professionals were reported by same subjects.

This study has practical significance for health professionals who are concerned with health education for chronic diseases such as arthritis. The individual’s perception of the importance and the amount of information needed for self care as well as the method and manner of information sharing are important determinants of factors in health education.

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L’Education pour la Sante en Tuberculose

G. Petrescu, S. Bilauca, C. Zamora, St. Lakatos Clinique de Pneumophtisiologie, Cluj-Napoca (RO)

L’attention de la population du CLUJ (750.000 habitans) est solicit&e a ce suget periodiquement, a 6-9 mois par des exposes audio-visuels (radio-t&?) et par des articles imprimes dans la presse locale.

La preoccupation des medecins practiciens et les connaissence de leures infermieres, l’evocations des exemples concretes, projections des films medicaux, pliants, assurent l’accomplissement d’un programme educatif en flux leg&r et sans t&e.

L’optimisme et la confiance dans les procedures therapeutiques sont cultives parmi les malades et leurs familles visant la cooperation pendant la duree du traitement.

La vie hygienique, l’etat de bien etre, la presen- tation au medecin de premiers sympthomes respiratoires ou generaux constituent l’ossature de l’education de la population, et des malades basee sur I’education des educateurs (reciclage par con-

ferences, lettres methodologiques, etc), organisees par notre comission de resort.

339

Developing Culturally Appropriate Educational Strategies - The Example of Epilepsy

J. Ramakrishna, S.H. Subramanya Setty

The development of Epilepsy Education Pro- gramme at the Out Patient Department, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences. In- dia, where 100 + epilepsy patients are treated per day is described. Preliminary needs assessment of health professionals and patients identified epilep- sy, a chronic illness, with psychological overtones (stigma), as requiring priority education input. Pa- tients have well developed ideas on the causation and definite expectations of treatment. The action research process of: gathering relevant socio- cultural information; analysing these in light of present day medical thought and practices; developing health syntheses to reinforce congruent salient beliefs and practices; and providing infor- mation in line with peoples perception, is detailed. Strategies for developing an appropriate health education programme which emphasise face to face interaction, group methods to encourage sharing, problem solving and social support is outlined. Evaluation on changes in perception and knowledge was undertaken to assess the impact of the sessions.

Insights gained in the intensive group meetings were used to formalise the epilepsy educational sessions so that any health worker can carry out this activity. In addition, these ideas were used to develop education materials such as posters, pam- phlets and videos. At present a long term evalua- tion to discern behavioural changes such as continuation of treatment/medication, reporting of side effects, and management on the whole is being undertaken.

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Effectividad de la Education con Enfoque Centrado en la Personal (ECP) en el Enfermo Diabetic0 (ED) 1985.