COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN SCHOOL HEALTH PROMOTION MODEL AND CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHOOL HEALTH PROMOTION IN BULGARIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health promotion is a modern concept for public health improvement applied in different fields of community life. By the international network of Health promoting schools the school community acquires a main role to reach the potential of this concept. The aim of this paper is to draw a parallel between the main principles of the concept and its actual fulfilment in Bulgarian school. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A comprehensive medico-social survey over representative sample of schools in Pleven district has been conducted. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire among 78 school nurses, 30 health promotion experts, 279 teachers, 519 students, 374 parents; interview with school principals and documental review. Data analysis and interpretation were consistent with the concept of Health Promoting School. RESULTS: The study found safety school environment with strict control over its physical components. There is a necessity of better opportunities for sports and nutrition services in about of two thirds of schools. Over 90% of school staff and about two thirds of students report high level of stress which requires attention to the emotional and social well-being at school. A correlation between higher satisfaction of staff with their career and occupational settings and evaluation of school environment as safety has been established (p CONCLUSION: The study results like the international experience show both success and difficulties to put this concept into practice. Keywords: behavior risk factors, health education, health promotion, school health promotion model Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}