KUMJ | VOL. 19 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 73 | JAN.-MARCH, 2021
Determination and Evaluation of Sense of Coherence in Women in Semi-urban Nepal: A part of the Heart-health Associated Research, Dissemination, and Intervention in the Community (HARDIC) Trial
Thapa DR, Oli N, Vaidya A, Suominen S, Bergström AE, Josefsson KA, Krettek A
Abstract: Background
Sense of coherence (SOC) is a core concept of salutogenesis which relates to
individuals’ overall life orientation. Stronger SOC associates with better coping
strategies, better health, and better quality of life. Although the SOC-questionnaire is
validated in many cultures and languages, it has not, to date, been applied in Nepal.
Objective
To determine and evaluate women’s SOC before and after a health education
intervention.
Method
This study was conducted as a part of the Heart-health Associated Research,
Dissemination, and Intervention in the Community in the semi-urban JhaukhelDuwakot
Health Demographic Surveillance Site in Nepal. Jhaukhel and Duwakot
were selected as the control and intervention areas, respectively. Participants were
women with children aged 1-7 years. Eight hundred and fifty-seven women before
and 1,268 women after the health education intervention participated in the study.
The statistical analysis was carried out with chi-square tests and one-way uni-variate
ANOVA.
Result
Women’s total SOC mean values at baseline were 51.1-57.4 and at follow up 54.4-54.9
in the intervention and control area, respectively. At baseline, SOC was significantly
weaker in the intervention area compared to the control area (p < 0.001). At followup
three
months
later,
SOC
was
significantly
stronger
in
the
intervention
area
than
in
the
control
area
(p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Nepalese women had weaker SOC than women in high-income countries, but
comparable to neighboring country India with similar cultural features. Empowerment
of women through community participation and health education strengthened
SOC. The SOC-13-questionnaire in its Nepali version is recommended to be further
evaluated.
Keyword : Health education, Health promotion, Non-communicable disease, Quality of life, Sense of coherence
