Developing Health Education Programs for Health Promotion: Development of a Training Guide on Prevention of Smoking and Excessive Drinking

Background: Alcohol and tobacco use are two major behavioral risk factors implicated in increased morbidity and mortality. Since both substances are widely used in Korea, a concerted effort is currently underway to reduce the use of tobacco and alcohol in Korea. Objectives: Efforts directed toward preparing health promotion planners and health educators from local health departments to organize and implement community-wide interventions to reduce the proportion of people smoking and reduce the average level of alcohol consumption in the community. Methods: Comprehensive multi-media health promotion materials were developed based on health behavior theories and strategies. The materials were developed to introduce a user-oriented developmental approach by making messages more persuasive and organizing content in a user-friendly manner. Health educators from all local health departments in the country were trained in the use of the materials, to enable them to develop community interventions to reduce smoking and drinking. Implications for Practitioners: The process followed in developing the health intervention materials is described in detail to assist practitioners who need to develop effective programs to reduce the use of tobacco and alcohol. Sections of the report explain health intervention theories, specific program activities to include in an intervention, development, organization, evaluation, choosing a target audience, choosing goals of an intervention, and methods of making program content vivid and persuasive.