Investigating the effect of teach-back method on improving the lifestyle of health ambassadors in Urmia

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is necessary to maintain and promote health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of teach‑back method on improving the lifestyle of health ambassadors in Urmia.

In this quasi‑experimental study, 200 health ambassadors were participated. The research sample was obtained using simple random sampling method. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and lifestyle standard. The educational intervention was performed in 4 sessions of 45 min based on the teach‑back method. Data were collected through a lifestyle questionnaire before and 3 months after the educational intervention. Then, the data were analyzed by mean and standard deviation, independent t‑test, paired t‑test, and Chi‑square test through SPSS 19.

The results showed that 24% of the control group and 21% of the intervention group had a good lifestyle before the educational intervention. After the educational intervention 27% of the control group and 54% of the intervention group were in good lifestyle. The results also showed that the mean score of total lifestyle and all its dimensions in the intervention group increased compared to the control group after the educational intervention and the difference between the mean score of total lifestyle and all its dimensions in the intervention group after the intervention was significant (P < 0.05).

Among health ambassadors, teach‑back communication is more effective in improving the lifestyle. Therefore, it is suggested that this method must be used in designing training programs for health ambassadors.