Improving Community Health Literacy Through Multimodal Nurse-Led Educational Interventions: A SQUIRE 2.0-Compliant Quality Improvement Initiative at a Tertiary Care Teaching Institution in India

Abstract

Background: Health literacy is recognized as a critical determinant of health outcomes and healthcare utilization. Individuals with inadequate health literacy often face difficulties in understanding health information, accessing healthcare services, adhering to treatment recommendations, and engaging in preventive health behaviors. Healthcare institutions and nursing professionals play a vital role in strengthening health literacy through evidence-based educational interventions. Despite increasing emphasis on patient-centered care, gaps in community awareness regarding preventive healthcare, maternal and child health, nutrition, vaccination, cancer screening, mental health, and emergency response remain substantial, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods: A quality improvement initiative guided by the Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) framework was implemented by the Health Literacy Club, College of Nursing, AIIMS Bibinagar, from June 2025 to May 2026. Fifteen multimodal educational interventions were conducted across outpatient departments, inpatient units, community settings, and community radio platforms. Process and outcome indicators included the number of activities conducted, participant reach, educational methods utilized, and community engagement.

Interventions: The interventions included awareness sessions, role plays, demonstrations, screening camps, educational video displays, and radio broadcasts focusing on substance abuse prevention, breastfeeding promotion, ORS therapy, suicide prevention, breast cancer awareness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), newborn care, nutritional deficiencies, food hygiene, HPV vaccination, and common health issues.

Results: A total of 15 interventions were conducted during the project period. Direct participation exceeded 790 individuals, while community radio programs reached an estimated audience of over 2,000 listeners. The initiative achieved complete implementation of planned activities and successfully integrated health literacy promotion into nursing education and healthcare delivery processes.

Conclusions: The Health Literacy Club model demonstrated feasibility, sustainability, and effectiveness in promoting community health awareness through multimodal educational strategies. Nurse-led health literacy initiatives can serve as scalable approaches to strengthen preventive healthcare and community engagement within tertiary healthcare institutions.