Abstract / Summary
Background: Peptic ulcer disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by ulceration of the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum. Its occurrence is influenced by several factors, including Helicobacter pylori infection, prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), unhealthy dietary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, psychological stress, and irregular lifestyle practices. Middle-aged adults may be particularly vulnerable due to occupational stress, changing dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate awareness regarding preventive measures. Lack of knowledge about modifiable risk factors and preventive practices may increase the risk of peptic ulcer disease and its complications. Structured health education can improve awareness and encourage individuals to adopt appropriate preventive behaviours. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding risk factors and prevention of peptic ulcer among middle-aged adults in a selected urban area of Bangalore. Methodology: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in Konanakunte urban area, Bangalore. A total of 60 middle-aged individuals were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire regarding the risk factors and prevention of peptic ulcer. The tool was validated by experts and demonstrated good reliability, with a reliability coefficient of r = 0.78. Ethical permission was obtained from the concerned authorities, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection. The pre-test was conducted, followed by the structured teaching programme on the same day. The post-test was conducted after seven days. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics such as paired t test and chi-square test were used for analysis. Results: The pre-test findings revealed that 47 (78%) participants had inadequate knowledge (<50%), 13 (22%) had moderately adequate knowledge (50–75%), and none of them had adequate knowledge (>75%). Following the structured teaching programme, the post-test findings showed that none of the participants had inadequate knowledge, 7 (12%) had moderately adequate knowledge, and 53 (88%) had adequate knowledge (>75%). The mean knowledge score increased from 11.8 in the pre-test to 25.5 in the post-test, with a mean difference of 13.7. The obtained paired t value was 33.45, which was statistically highly significant at p < 0.001. These findings indicate a significant improvement in knowledge following the structured teaching programme. There was a statistically significant improvement in knowledge scores following the structured teaching programme, confirming that the structured teaching programme was effective in improving knowledge regarding the risk factors and prevention of peptic ulcer among the middle-aged population. Conclusion: The study concluded that the structured teaching programme was effective in improving knowledge regarding the risk factors and prevention of peptic ulcer among middle-aged individuals. The substantial increase in post-test knowledge scores demonstrates the usefulness of structured health education in enhancing awareness regarding modifiable risk factors and preventive measures. Regular health education programmes conducted by nurses and other healthcare professionals may help middle-aged individuals recognize risk factors early and adopt appropriate preventive practices to reduce the occurrence of peptic ulcer disease.