Högskolan i Skövde

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 Jhaukhel-Duwakot 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. 857 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.

Results

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 follow-up 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.

Biography: I am a Registered Nurse (RN) and Public Health Nurse in Sweden. My research interest started during my nursing studies and it became reality when I got enrolled as a PhD-student since the end of 2016 at Jönköping University, Skövde. I am part-time lecturer in the University of Skövde, Sweden and teach mostly nursing students. My research is about health resources and job-demands in women-dominated work, presented as examples from two cultural context from Nepal and Sweden. This research is a part of my doctoral studies where four research will be included.