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. 2023 Dec 7;18(12):e0294986.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294986. eCollection 2023.

Development of an internet-based intervention to improve health professionals' counseling skills around adolescent weight management in Indonesia

Fransisca Handy Agung  1 , Rini Sekartini  2 , Nani Sudarsono  3 , Aryono Hendarto  2 , Retno Asti Werdhani  3 , Meita Dhamayanti  4 , Retno Pudjiati  5 , Lathifah Hanum  5 , Affan Naufal  6 , Susan M Sawyer  7
Affiliations

Development of an internet-based intervention to improve health professionals' counseling skills around adolescent weight management in Indonesia

Fransisca Handy Agung et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a growing public health and clinical concern, worldwide. In many countries, including Indonesia, health professionals lack the capacity to promote behavior change around obesity prevention and management, especially with adolescents for whom a wider set of communication skills are required. This study describes the theoretical basis, approach to development of content, use and satisfaction of an internet-based educational intervention designed to improve the quality of health professional weight management counseling with adolescents in Indonesia.

Methods: This study is part of an exploratory sequential mixed methods design which was undertaken from 2020 to 2022. Following a needs analysis, an internet-based training resource was developed, informed by constructive alignment theory and active learning principles. Using both synchronous and asynchronous approaches over a four-week pilot study, a weekly interactive session was held online, using multifaceted training materials housed on a website (https://ramahremaja.id). The training resource was then tested in a two-arm study involving health professionals from 17 of 34 provinces across Indonesia.

Results: Sixty-four primary health professionals were recruited for the two-arm study. The completion rate for reviewing all materials and assignments on the website was 72% and the online meeting participation rate was 78%. Participants were highly positive about the clarity of the training material and the appropriateness of the delivery methods. The main challenges related to poor internet literacy and interrupted internet connectivity.

Conclusion: Designed to support weight management in adolescents, this internet-based training program shows potential for enhancing Indonesian health professional behavior-change counseling skills.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The intervention model based on Walsh and McPhee system model [19].
Fig 2
Fig 2. Training development sequence.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Map of learning objectives.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Training scheme flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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