Parent Training: Experience of the New Territories West School Health Promotion Project of Hong Kong

Abstract

Parents' participation in school life is an important element of a health-promoting school. To maximize the potential of parents as partners in health education and take on a leading role in promoting health in the school, family and community, a parental health education programme using the empowerment model had been launched in partnership between academic and health sectors. A total of 28 parents selected from eight schools in the New Territories West region of Hong Kong participated in the programme. Evaluation of the programme revealed that the programme had matched well with the expectation of most participants. All respondents had reported an increase in health awareness and knowledge, and confidence to promote health concepts in familiar environments, such as the home and school. They also showed interest to participate in further training in health related issues. Parental health education is recommended to enhance active involvement for building a greater sense of belonging and to put through individual empowerment to community empowerment. Parental involvement in school health promotion would be an effective way to facilitate the paradigm shift.