Perceived Health Promoting Education Needs of Middle-aged Population in Dhulikhel Municipality of Nepal

Background Health promoting education need assessment is of utter importance while conducting health promoting education programs. However little efforts have been put on this by the policy level authorities and there are no studies to assess the perceived health promoting education needs of the middle aged population of Nepal till date. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the perceived health promoting education needs of middle-aged population in Dhulikhel municipality. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 respondents using two staged cluster and systematic technique. Face to face interview technique was used for data collection. T-test was used for comparison of dependent variables with independent variables. Result The study revealed that the mean education need score was 66.66±16.09 (in a score of minimum 25 and maximum 125). Cancer prevention was perceived as the topic of highest education need and retirement planning as the topic of least education need. There was statistically significant difference in the mean perceived education need score between male and female (p=0.048), respondents with exposure and non-exposure to health related programs on mass-media (p=0.020) and mental component summary score < 50 and mental component summary scores >=50 (p=0.048). Conclusion This study suggested that the community people have perceived moderate level of health promoting education need. Since cancer prevention was the highest rated topic followed by chronic illness prevention and dementia, it is recommended to focus on these topics while organizing any health promoting education programs in the community.