The successful promotion of behavioural change and increase in knowledge by means of active participation in a 'Look After Yourself!' exhibition

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Abstract
THE HEALTH Education Service of Leeds Area Health Authority (Teaching) presented a 'Look After Yourself!' exhibition in September 1978. This consisted of a variety of activities and physical measurements, together with advice and the distribution of fact sheets. A postal survey of the effectiveness of active participation in this exhibition in increasing knowledge and changing or modifying behaviour was carried out one month later. Three hundred and ninety- nine questionnaires were returned (75 per cent response) from ap proximately a one-in-nine sample of the 3,500 people who attended the exhibition. Although the exhibition was aimed at both sexes between the age of 16 and 60, the survey found that women, the elderly, housewives and those not in full-time employment were over-represented. The exhibition overall was en joyed by 98 per cent of the respondents, and the majority found the various tests helpful. The fact sheets were generally understood and found to be useful. Twenty-six per cent of respondents discovered they were not as fit as they thought. As a result of participation in the exhibition, 57 per cent in creased their exercise, and 58 per cent changed their eating habits. Of those who smoked, eight per cent gave up the habit, and 32 per cent reduced their intake. The vast majority of participants recommended the exhibition to relatives, friends and associates. There was wide coverage of the activities by newspapers, radio and television. On both the descriptive level, and in terms of behavioural change and information gained, the exhibition proved to be enormously successful and was enjoyed by staff and participants.

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