Assessing the Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention in Non-Healthcare College Students on Identifying Aspiration during Oral Feeds in Individuals with Dysphagia

This pre-post intervention study aims to develop and validate educational awareness materials to help non-healthcare college students identify aspiration events in individuals with dysphagia during oral feeds. The study begins with creating a PowerPoint presentation that covers the causes of aspiration, red flag symptoms, potential consequences, management strategies, and appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior which can be used to educate the participants of the study. Additionally, a 15-item multiple-choice questionnaire will be developed. The finalization of these educational materials will be achieved through the Nominal Group Process.

Participants will be selected using a stratified sampling method and organized into batches of 10 for the awareness sessions. Each session will start with administering a pre-multiple-choice questionnaire, followed by the educational presentation and open discussions to clarify any uncertainties. A post-multiple-choice questionnaire will then be administered to measure the participants’ awareness levels before and after the session.

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational material in increasing awareness among non-healthcare college students about the causes, symptoms, and management strategies of aspiration. Early identification of aspiration red flags in individuals with dysphagia is expected to lead to timely consultations with specialists and improved patient outcomes.