Effectiveness of Health Education Interventions in Preventing Common Childhood Illnesses: A Systematic Review

Vollständiger Abstract

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Abstract Preventable childhood illnesses such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and malnutrition remain major public health challenges worldwide. Health education interventions led by nurses and healthcare professionals are considered a cornerstone of child health nursing practice. To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of health education interventions in preventing common childhood illnesses. A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2024. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational studies evaluating health education interventions for mothers/caregivers of under-five children were included. Data were extracted and analyzed narratively. A total of 28 studies were identified, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies reported significant improvement in caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices, along with a reduction in the incidence of common childhood illnesses. Nurse-led and community-based interventions demonstrated the highest effectiveness. The review provides strong evidence that structured health education interventions are effective in preventing common childhood illnesses. Integrating evidence-based educational strategies into routine child health nursing practice is strongly recommended.