Effects of the Health Promotion Program on Health Literacy, Physical and Mental Health Status, and Quality of Life

This study aims to evaluate the physical and mental health status, prevalence of chronic diseases, health literacy, and health behaviors of residents in Gandaki Province, Nepal, and to assess the effectiveness of a community-based health promotion program integrating health education, exercise, and auricular acupressure. The intervention is designed to improve quality of life, health literacy, and chronic disease management among rural populations with limited healthcare access. This is a prospective interventional cohort study conducted over seven years (2025-2031) in two rural villages of Pokhara, Gandaki Province: Belchautara (experimental) and Rupakot (control). A total of 400 residents aged 19 years and older will be screened and enrolled (200 per village). Participants will be recruited through local nursing colleges and health centers. Year 1 involves mixed methods research (descriptive-correlational and qualitative) to identify community health needs. Years 2-7 will employ a quasi-experimental design with annual interventions and follow-up evaluations. Interventions 1. Health Education Program: Frequency: 12 weekly sessions (1 hour each), repeated three times per year. Content: hygiene, nutrition, stress management, lifestyle modification. Measures: health literacy, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, anthropometry, quality of life, and PHQ-9. 2. Exercise Program: Frequency: 8 weekly sessions (1 hour each), repeated three times per year. Activities: muscle stretching, sit-ups, push-ups, sit-to-stand, and grip strength training. Measures: Sit and Reach Test, push-up and sit-up counts, grip strength. 3. Auricular Acupressure: Indications: back pain, dysmenorrhea, or perimenopausal symptoms. Frequency: once per week for 2 weeks. Measures: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, and Perimenopause Symptom Scale. Exclusion: pregnancy, metal allergy, or ear disease. Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention through structured questionnaires and physical measurements.