0424 Evaluating Sedative-Hypnotics Education Across Diverse Communities Using Community Alignment Theory

Abstract Introduction Since the late 1990s, misuse of prescription sedative-hypnotics like benzodiazepines (BZDs) and non-benzodiazepines (non-BZDs) has surged, becoming a significant public health issue. To address this, a community health program was evaluated for its effectiveness in raising awareness, providing preventive education, and implementing interventions. The study assessed a comprehensive health promotion initiative involving healthcare providers, trained community members, and volunteers to encourage responsible use of sedative-hypnotics among diverse populations. Methods The study employed Community Alignment Theory to emphasize the significance of cohesive collaboration among community members, organizations, and institutions, aiming to achieve sustainable and impactful outcomes. Eight experienced institutions across various regions, proficient in implementing individual and population health education programs, were selected with support from academic universities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These entities actively participated in developing and executing comprehensive programs. To assess awareness regarding the accurate use of sedative-hypnotics, five-item questionnaires were developed. These questionnaires exhibited a high content validity index of over .85, determined by eight experts, and demonstrated strong internal consistency reliability of .89. Results Eight institutions across diverse regions collaborated with 161 stakeholders and enrolled 875 participants, comprising 447 males (51.1%) with an average age of 58.3 ± 17.6 years. The current prevalence of insomnia, occurring at least three days a week, stood at 15.2% (n=133), with over half of the participants (n=466, 53.3%) having sought medical assistance for insomnia. Following the execution of 646 educational programs conducted in 275 locations and 13,348 participants attended, there was a significant improvement in awareness regarding insomnia and the appropriate utilization of sedative-hypnotics (p Conclusion The utilization of the community alignment theory serves as a fundamental framework for steering educational initiatives within communities, demonstrating advantageous impacts on promoting the precise utilization of sedative-hypnotics. Support (if any) The Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, supported the study (Project number MOHW112-FDA-D-114-000641).