Empowering Local Health Promoters: Capacity Building for Behaviour Change in Low-Resource Settings

Behaviour change interventions (BCIs) are widely used to improve health outcomes, yet practitioners in the field often lack the training to design, implement and evaluate them effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a ten-module, theory- and evidence-based training programme on practitioners' knowledge, self-efficacy and intention to use BCIs, particularly in low-resource settings.

The training was delivered to Health Promotion Technicians (N = 40) in Paraguay (2022) and Bangladesh (2024). It covered key behavioural science concepts and practical steps for developing and evaluating BCIs. Knowledge was assessed using a multiple-choice test, while self-efficacy and intention were measured via validated scales. Assessments were conducted at multiple time points (four in Paraguay, two in Bangladesh). Multilevel modelling was used to analyse changes over time.

Participants showed significant improvements in knowledge (b = 4.95, 95 % CI [3.73, 6.17], p < .001), self-efficacy (b = 0.65, 95 % CI [0.35, 0.94], p < .001) and intention to use BCIs (b = 0.36, 95 % CI [0.12, 0.60], p = .005).

This training programme appears effective in building key capacities among health promotion practitioners in low-resource contexts. Future research should assess whether such improvements translate into the sustained use of BCIs and measurable impacts on community health, especially among underserved populations, such as rural communities and minority groups.