Impact of Health Education and Promotion by Community Nurses on Preventive Health Behaviours: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Community nurses are pivotal in bridging the gap between clinical settings and population health, with health education being a core function of their role. This integrative review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the impact of health education and promotion interventions led by community nurses on the adoption of preventive health behaviors across diverse populations. The methodology followed Whittemore and Knafl’s five-stage framework, involving a systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) for studies published between 2013 and 2023. Twenty-five studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and qualitative research. The results consistently demonstrated that community nurse-led interventions significantly improved preventive behaviors, particularly in areas of chronic disease management (e.g., medication adherence, dietary modification), vaccination uptake, and prenatal and child health practices. Key effective strategies included structured, culturally tailored education, motivational interviewing, and longer-term follow-up. The conclusion affirms that community nurses are highly effective agents of behavioral change in preventive health. Their unique position of trust and accessibility within communities allows them to deliver impactful, patient-centered education that leads to sustainable health behavior improvements. Investment in and expansion of their role in public health initiatives is strongly recommended.