The effect of an experiential learning program on pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices among prison health volunteers (PHVs)

Abstract

Prison health volunteers (PHVs) play a crucial role in preventing and controlling the spread of tuberculosis in prisons. This study aimed to assess the effects of an experiential learning program on the pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices of the PHVs. It was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest-posttest design. The samples consisted of 36 PHVs selected through purposive sampling. They were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 18 participants in each group. The research instruments included (1) an experiential learning program activity plan developed by the researcher based on Kolb's concept, conducted over 5 weeks; presentation slides on the tuberculosis situation in prisons and pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices; a handbook for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices in prisons for PHVs; and a set of equipment for pulmonary tuberculosis prevention for PHVs; and (2) data collection tools, including a personal information questionnaire and an observation form to evaluate pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices. These instruments were reviewed and revised by six experts. The content validity index (CVI) was 1 and the reliability (Cohen's kappa coefficient) was 0.97. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-test, and McNemar test. The results showed that after receiving the program, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher level of pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices compared to before the program (p<0.001). In addition, comparison between groups revealed that the experimental group exhibited significantly higher pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices than the control group (p<0.001). The findings can be used to enhance the effectiveness of pulmonary tuberculosis prevention practices among PHVs.