The Contribution of Health Advocates in Strengthening Community Participation in Preventive Health Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v2i1.282Keywords:
Health Advocates, Community Participation, Preventive Health ProgramsAbstract
Community participation is a key factor in the success of preventive health programs, yet active engagement remains difficult due to low health literacy, limited access to information, and cultural barriers. Health advocates play an important role in connecting healthcare systems with communities by providing education, mobilization, and context-specific support. This study aims to assess the contribution of health advocates in strengthening community participation in preventive health programs through a quantitative approach. Using a correlational research design, data were obtained from a stratified random sample of community members involved in preventive health initiatives. A structured questionnaire was used to measure health advocate activities and levels of community participation. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including correlation and multiple regression, were applied to examine the relationships between variables. The findings show a strong positive relationship between health advocate activities and community participation, with advocacy contributing significantly to increased engagement. Education level also influenced participation, indicating the need for strategies to address health literacy gaps. The results highlight the importance of investing in the training and support of health advocates to enhance program effectiveness, foster community ownership, and achieve sustainable public health outcomes.
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