Impact of a Community-based Health Literacy Intervention on Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Preventive Practices Regarding Japanese Encephalitis among Adults in a Selected Urban Community: A Pre-experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a potentially fatal mosquito-borne viral disease associated with substantial neurological morbidity and mortality. Although vaccination is the principal preventive intervention, community knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices are also important components of JE prevention. Community-based health-literacy interventions may help improve these behavioral and educational determinants, particularly among adults who contribute to household and community health decisions. Methods: A quantitative, pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design was adopted to assess the effect of a community-based health-literacy intervention on knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices regarding JE. Sixty adults residing in a selected urban community in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, were recruited using a non-probability sampling technique. Baseline data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire, risk-perception scale, and preventive-practice assessment tool. Participants received a structured health-literacy intervention addressing JE transmission, risk factors, clinical manifestations, mosquito-bite prevention, environmental sanitation, vaccination awareness, early recognition of warning signs, and appropriate healthcare seeking. Post-test assessment was subsequently conducted using the same instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean knowledge score increased from 10.80 ± 3.10 at pre-test to 17.20 ± 2.40 at post-test, with a mean difference of 6.40 points (t = 15.20, P < 0.001). The mean risk-perception score increased from 24.60 ± 5.20 to 34.80 ± 4.10, with a mean difference of 10.20 points (t = 13.80, P < 0.001). The mean preventive-practice score increased from 11.70 ± 3.40 to 18.90 ± 2.70, with a mean difference of 7.20 points (t = 14.60, P < 0.001). Statistically significant improvements were therefore observed in knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices following the intervention. Conclusion: The community-based health-literacy intervention was associated with significant improvements in knowledge, risk perception, and preventive practices regarding JE among adults. The findings support the potential role of structured community-based health education as a nursing intervention for strengthening JE-prevention behaviors. Further controlled studies involving larger samples and longer follow-up are warranted.