Awareness, knowledge and acceptance of community on Non-communicable diseases intervention – A findings from the “Healthy Community, Develop the Nation” (KOSPEN) in the Southern Zone states of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Community-based health promotion programmes have been recognized as an affectionate approach to reduce behavioral and modifiable lifestyle risk for non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion and factor/s associated with awareness, acceptance, and participation in the “Komuniti sihat, Pembina Negara “ (KOSPEN) community intervention programme. Methods: The cross-sectional study employed a two-stage proportionate sampling method to select the representative sample of community in Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor. Face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants using pre-validated questionnaires were the study tool applied. Results: The study revealed that approximately two thirds of respondents were aware of the KOSPEN program (65.5%) Almost half (45.4%) of the respondents reported involved in the proposed activities namely health screenings (84.8%), health talks (66.4%), and providing plain water informal occasion (52.9%). About two thirds and one-quarter of them have a very good (73.4%) and good (24.1%) general view of this programme. Four out of ten respondents faced difficulties joining the activities. Lack of time (83.0%) was reported as the main barrier   Conclusion: The KOSPEN program in overall was well accepted by the community. However, the need for future improvement has been highlighted  in order to enhance the involvement and participation of the residents   Keywords:  Awareness, Acceptance, Community Intervention Programme, Non-Communicable Diseases, KOSPEN.