Impact of Virtual Training for Peer Educators on Health Literacy Among Garment Industry Workers in South India

Background: India is one of the leading apparel manufacturers in the world, with a major contribution from South Indian factories. Lack of awareness and poor access to credible health information contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and the early development of chronic ailments. Aims: To evaluate the impact of virtual training of peer educators on health literacy regarding selected health topics among garment industry employees in south India and to identify the associated challenges. Methods and Material: This interventional study was conducted among 27 apparel factory units across south India. Virtual training was adopted due to COVID-19 restrictions. Baseline health assessment was conducted among 447 employees regarding common health topics. Based upon those findings, six health topics were chosen for the interventional training, and peer educators from each of the factories were provided virtual training on a monthly basis. Training was supplemented using health education posters and slides. An endline assessment was done among 515 unmatched sample employees to assess the impact of peer education. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 25, and z-test was used to make before-after comparisons. Results: A significant change in awareness regarding nutrition, ergonomics, non-communicable diseases, cancer, and mental health was observed following peer health education. The habit of eating breakfast daily and wearing personal protective equipment improved as well. Of the participants, 8.7% have quit tobacco/smoking, and 10.3% have quit alcohol consumption in the last 1 year, which can be attributed to the lifestyle change following the training sessions. Conclusion: A well-designed virtual health educational intervention for peer educators at the workplace is a successful approach to improving awareness on health-related topics.