School Health Education Programs Research Articles

Perceptions of adolescent parenting among high school adolescent students from selected rural and urban schools in Rwanda

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health concern. In Rwanda, adolescent pregnancy has increased from 4.1% in 2005 to 7.3% in 2015 and continues to rise. Objective: To determine adolescents’ perceptions of how their lives would change if they experienced an adolescent birth. Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 245 adolescents 15-19 years of age who attended two secondary schools in Rwanda. Data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The majority of participants had positive perceptions of adolescent parenting. The bivariate analysis showed significant relationships between adolescents’ perceptions and three sociodemographic variables (female, pregnancy status, and monthly attendance at the religious group) and one sexual behaviour variable (history of sexual intercourse). The multivariate analysis revealed one significant relationship, females’ negative perceptions of adolescent parenting (p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen sexual health education programs in secondary schools to raise adolescents’ awareness of sexual and reproductive health. Health facilities should provide easy access and affordable contraceptive methods to adolescents, which will help the individual, families, communities and Rwanda. Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy, perceptions, adolescent parenting

Oral Health Status among 12-Year-Old Children in a Rural Kenyan Community

Objectives: To determine the oral health status among schoolchildren in a rural Kenyan community and examine the relationship between oral symptoms and perceived general health. Participants: 150 pupils, aged 12 years, in two primary schools in the Mbita District. Methods: Dental caries was assessed using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. Gingivitis was evaluated using the criteria used for oral examinations in Japanese schools. Information about oral health behavior was collected through a dental health questionnaire. Results: DMFT index values were 0.26 and 0.23 among boys and girls, respectively. Almost 90% of pupils had no dental caries. Frequency of tooth brushing was significantly associated with dental plaque accumulation. The percentage of subjects with dental plaque covering ≥30% of the labial surfaces of anterior teeth increased as the frequency of tooth brushing decreased. Conclusions: The overall mean DMFT index of 0.24 was lower than those reported in previous studies in Kenyan children, which may be explained by differences in socioeconomic status and dietary habits within our study group. Dental plaque was significantly related to the prevalence of gingivitis. These findings indicate the urgent need for oral health education programs in Kenyan schools that address chronic dental symptoms besides dental caries, such as gingivitis.

Your PEL questionnaire development - evaluation of the impact of health education programs in schools.

Your PEL questionnaire development - evaluation of the impact of health education programs in schools.

School Health Program: Impacting Physical Activity Behaviors Among Disadvantaged Students.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more apt to experience lower availability of nutritious foods, lack opportunities to exercise, and lack access to recreational facilities, and thus, are more likely to be obese and at greater risk for developing chronic diseases. We review school health education programs' impact on physical activity behaviors among disadvantaged students. The inclusion criteria of the study were articles: published in English with full text between 2011 and 2017; focused on school health education programs for disadvantaged school-aged students; assessed programs including a physical activity component; examined school-aged children and adolescents' physical activity behaviors; and assessed programs with comparison groups. There were 13 studies matching inclusion criteria in this review. The results of this review indicated that school-based health education programs which included culturally appropriate physical activity, parent involvement, and enhanced student motivation and choice of activities appeared to increase physical activity levels among disadvantaged school-aged students. Health education programs should also emphasize behavioral change skills, such as goal setting and self-motivation, to positively impact on students' physical activity behaviors. School-based health education programs may help increase access to physical activity among disadvantaged populations.

Evaluating the Peer Education Project in secondary schools

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the efficacy of the Peer Education Project (PEP), a school-based, peer-led intervention designed to support secondary school students to develop the skills and knowledge they need to safeguard their mental health and that of their peers.Design/methodology/approachSix schools from across England and the Channel Islands took part in an evaluation of the PEP across the 2016/2017 academic year. In total, 45 trained peer educators from the sixth form and 455 Year 7 students completed pre- and post-questionnaires assessing their emotional and behavioural difficulties, perceived school climate, and knowledge, skills and confidence related to mental health.FindingsResults indicate that participation in the PEP is associated with significant improvement in key skills among both peer educators and student trainees, and in understanding of key terms and readiness to support others among trainees. Most students would recommend participation in the programme to other students.Originality/valueWhile peer education has been found to be effective in some areas of health promotion, research on the effectiveness of peer-led mental health education programmes in schools is limited. This study contributes evidence around the efficacy of a new peer education programme that can be implemented in secondary schools.

Assessment of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls of East Delhi: A community-based cross-sectional research from an urban resettlement colony

Introduction: Even though menstruation is a normal physiological process, menstrual hygiene is a most neglected issue with many myths and social stigmas being associated with it. Due to unhygienic menstrual practices, young girls are vulnerable to reproductive tract infections and pelvic inflammatory diseases and other complications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in an urban resettlement colony of Kalyanpuri, East Delhi. One hundred and five adolescent girls participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 14.18 ± 2.13 years. Predesigned and pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used. Institutional Ethical clearance was obtained. Results: In this study, out of 105 girls, only 35.2% girls had knowledge about menstruation before they experienced menarche. Only 56.2% girls were aware that menstruation is a normal physiological process. Overall knowledge level about menstrual hygiene was unsatisfactory. Only 31.4% of girls were using sanitary pads during menstruation, 59.25% of the respondents had good practices. About 12.4% girls had positive attitude toward menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: Although practices on menstrual hygiene management among adolescents were fairly satisfactory, knowledge and attitude still need to improve. Findings indicate the need of behavior change communication campaigns along with frequent reinforcement of school health education programs.

Psychotropic substance abuses and academic attainments of learners from randomly selected school environments and reviews of previous joint studies at KNUST in Ghana

Psychotropic effects of substance abuse on academic attainments was studied from a cross sectional descriptive survey from January to June, 2010 in Bosomtwi and Atwima Kwanwoma Districts. Entirely thirteen beneficiaries of School Health Education Programmes (SHEP) interventions between 5 to 10 years intervals, sub-divided into ten Junior High (JHS), and three public Senior High (SHS) were randomly selected based on learners’ gender ratios using questionnaire and instructional guidelines approved by the school authorities for interview of 600 (258 females and 342 males) respondents. Majority (42 to 94%) were victims of coffee and alcohol abuse while 31% were implicated for marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine and heroin. About 56% resorted to drugs hoping to improve their academic performances with 11% consequently developing truant behaviors and abysmal achievements. Family members and friends often lured/provided money for 61% of learner’s drug purchase while 96% were addicted averagely at 11.5 years old. Proportionately, 51% males were abusing drugs against 45% females. Likelihood ratio of abuse amongst genders cohorts were both asymptotically (P&lt;0.07) and linearly (P&lt;0.4) not significantly different. Substance abuse problems worsened in divorced marriages and single parent families where financial constraints and inadequate care compel learners to depend on drugs as probable solution to their depression and stress. The overall analysis revealed little improvement on learners’ academic performances with increased drug use. Parent Teacher Associations need to strengthen the implementation of child care monitoring interventions in homes and schools to curtail rampant drug abuse problems through pilot School Health Education Programmes (SHEP).

Determinants of anemia in young women in middle school

Anemia and sttunting are health problems with multiple causes, namely nutriton (vitamin and mineral deficiency) and nutritional (infectious diseases). This problem not only occurs in pregnant women but also in infancy, toddiers, school children and even teenagers. one of the causes of problems occuring in efforts to improve nutritional status in jeneponto. regency is the high rate of nutritional anemia due to lack of iron. This study aims to analyze teh most influential factors on the incidence of anemia against stunitng events in young women aged 13-15 years. Design of case control research with the number of samples 186 people, sampling technique by way of totaling sampling. Bivariate analysis is used to determine what factors are related to the incidence of anemia. multivariate analysisis were used to look at the factors that most affected the incidence of anema. The results showed that the most determinant of the anemia was (1) menstrual cycle p - 0,032 OR 1,61 (CI 95% 1,069 - 2,433) and menstrual periode p=0,001 OR=2,24 (CI 95% 1,528-3,283), (2) intake nutrient p=0,03 OR=2,64 (CI 95% 0,904-7,701) and level of education mather p=0,002 OR= 4,08 (CI 95% 1,366-12,224). It is expected that eating behavior with a balanced nutrition pattern should be amphasized through school health education programs.

Educação em saúde: uma análise do impacto do projeto jovem doutor em escolas públicas

O presente estudo analisa dados que envolvem crescimento de nível de conhecimento de 90 alunos de 9 escolas públicas realizados pelo Projeto Jovem Doutor. Os dados analisados são referentes à avaliação subjetiva motivacional de cursos a distância e mensuração de mudança de comportamentos sociais após a aplicação do Projeto. Nestes Projetos, jovens de ensino Fundamental II e Médio são instruídos sobre diferentes temas da área da saúde e submetidos a instrumento de avaliação para cômputo do programa e analise de impacto de tal Programa em atitudes sociais de escolares. Este artigo buscou demonstrar o caráter educativo essencial de Programas de Educação em Saúde nas escolas, após sua obrigatoriedade como tema transversal. Para tanto a analise se limitou à temas na área de fonoaudiologia e trabalhos desenvolvidos em tal curso na cidade de Bauru e Manaus.

Ear infections in primary school children of south western Nigeria

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Prevalence of ear infections in primary school children in Nigeria is scarcely documented and available studies are mostly hospital based. The aim of this Community based study is to define the point prevalence of ear infections among school children.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Using a multi- staged stratified sampling technique, 630 pupils aged 6-12years, attending Government owed primary schools in two local government areas in the South Western Nigeria were recruited for the application of a structured questionnaire, single examination and classification using their socioeconomic index. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Three hundred and seven (48.7%) were females and three hundred and twenty three (51.3%) were males. Chronic otitis media had the highest prevalence of 7.9%, followed by acute otitis media and otitis externa (3.2%) while otomycosis (1.6%) had the lowest. Majority of the infections were unilateral and more prevalent in the males. It was observed that all the ear infections were more prevalent in pupils from the low socioeconomic class although not statistically significant.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; These results shows that ear infections is still common in our primary schools and that socioeconomic status and sex of the pupils did not significantly affect the occurrence of these ear infections. There is a need to incorporate health education programme in schools to prevent ear infections and the attendant disabilities.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of a Comprehensive Health Education Program to Increase Physical Activity among Primary School Students in China

China’s National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance(NPFHS)survey revealed high levels of sedentary behavior among primary school-aged children. Sedentary behavior is linked to both short-term and long-term physical and mental health conditions. A comprehensive school health education program was designed and its effectiveness to raise physical activity levels in Grade 4 primary school children was evaluated. Twelve schools(6 of program, 6 of control)from six cities in two economically different provinces were selected. Students at program schools received physical activity instruction both in and out of school. Control schools carried on with their usual level of physical activity for students, as required by national educational standards. Program effectiveness was assessed by comparing students’ physical activity behaviors at pre- and post-program, and by comparing students’ physical activity scores at program schools with students’ scores at control schools. The pre-program survey of students’ behaviors was done at the end of Grade 3, and the post-program survey was done at the end of Grade 4. Multi-level modeling was used to evaluate program effectiveness to allow for missing data. Results from 4472 students showed at pre-program there was no difference in control and program schools’ student physical activity scores. At post-program students in program schools did significantly more physical activity compared to students in control schools. Students in program schools were more physically active after the comprehensive school health education program. A school-based comprehensive health education program would effectively increase children’s physical activity level in China. There is a potential to reduce sedentary behavior among children by implementing school programs that are environmental in nature; that is, activities involve not only the students, but also the school administration, teachers, parents, and community members.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Menstrual Hygiene Management among School Adolescents.

Menstrual hygiene management remains a taboo in many communities in Nepal. Cultural beliefs about menstruation such as food taboos and untouchability have negative impact on dignity, health and education of adolescent girls. The objective of the study was to assess the current knowledge, attitude and practice of school adolescents on menstrual hygiene management in Doti District in Far-Western Nepal. This cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2016 at seven village development committees in Doti district, Nepal. This study was done among 276 students from grade seven and eight of 11 schools. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from school students. Descriptive analysis was done to analyse the knowledge, attitude and practice of school adolescents on menstrual hygiene management. 67.4% respondents had fair knowledge and 26.4% respondents had good knowledge on menstrual hygiene management. However, out of 141 female adolescent respondents, only 56 (40%) were engaged in good menstrual hygiene practices. Around half of the respondents had positive attitude towards menstrual hygiene management related issues. Although knowledge on menstrual hygiene management among school adolescents is fair, still attitude and practice need to improve. Findings indicate the need of behavior change communication campaigns along with frequent reinforcement of school health education programs.

Why and How Schools Make Nutrition Education Programs "Work".

There are many potential health benefits to having nutrition education programs offered by expert outside sources in schools. However, little is known about why and how schools initiate, implement, and institutionalize them. Gaining this understanding may allow the impact and reach of nutrition and other health education programs in schools to be extended. A total of 22 school community members from 21 purposefully selected New York City public elementary schools were interviewed using a semistructured interview protocol about their schools' experiences initiating, implementing, and institutionalizing nutrition education programs. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Chronological narratives were written detailing each school's experience and passages highlighting key aspects of each school's experience were identified. These passages (N = 266) were sorted into domains and themes which were regrouped, resorted, and adjusted until all researchers agreed the domains and themes represented the collective experiences of the schools. The interviews elicited 4 broad domains of action: building motivation, choosing programs, developing capacity, and legitimizing nutrition education. Within each domain, themes reflecting specific actions and thoughts emerged. The identified domains of action and their themes highlight specific, practical actions that school health advocates can use to initiate, implement, and institutionalize nutrition education programs in schools.

Improving Schools, Improving School Health Education, Improving Public Health: The Role of SOPHE Members.

The reciprocal relationship between health and education has garnered increased attention among public health professionals. The evidence is clear that the level of an individual's education is related to health outcomes in adulthood and that healthier children are more likely to be academically successful than those with health issues. Unpacking and examining various aspects of this relationship is the focus of my 2017 SOHE Presidential Address. The three specific purposes of the presentation are to (a) understand the reciprocal relationship between education and health, (b) understand the characteristics of quality schools and quality school health education, and (c) to review strategies designed to activate school improvement as a public health strategy. In order to examine the relationship, I will address the relationship of social determinants and social justice to the quality of education with special attention to the impact of poverty. In addition, I will present possible reasons behind the linkage of higher educational attainment to better health outcomes, and the impact of health challenges on academic success for school-age children and youth. Finally, I will present characteristics of quality schools including considerations related to quality school health education programs. I conclude the presentation by presenting 11 specific actions for school improvement for consideration by SOPHE members and other public health professionals.

Health education in New Zealand schools: Policy and implementation

This study was concerned with the implementation of health curriculum in schools and the effect of policy upon the implementation of the health education syllabus. The objectives of the study were to find out if schools had written health education policy; to investigate the impact of policy development on health education; and to identify any potential barriers which might impede the successful implementation of school health education programmes within the curriculum.

Medical Students Leading a High School Health Education Program: Evaluation of Mihealth

Medical Students Leading a High School Health Education Program: Evaluation of Mihealth

Student support for reproductive health education in middle schools: findings from Lebanon

Reproductive health education (RHE) programmes in schools are a well-recognised means of helping young people make informed decisions relating to their sexual health and well-being. Very little research however has investigated attitudes towards such programmes among students in the Arab world. A national HIV education curriculum was developed in Lebanon in 2005. However, in the context of competing priorities and mixed levels of social resistance, curriculum implementation to date is far from universal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of support for school-based RHE and the main factors associated with such support among young people aged 11–16 years in Lebanon. A secondary analysis of data from the 2011 Global school-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was conducted. Students who supported RHE (58.1%) were more likely to be of higher grade level (adjusted OR [Odds Ratio] = 1.78, p-value = 0.005), to have ever drunk alcohol (adjusted OR = 1.52, p-value = 0.012), to prefer mixed classes for RHE (adjusted OR = 3.19, p-value < 0.0001), to say RHE should start before or at puberty (adjusted OR = 3.57, p-value < 0.0001), and to be exposed to more health education topics in school (adjusted OR = 1.2, p-value < 0.0001). Identifying such sub-groups in the student body should inform the equitable implementation of RHE in culturally diverse settings like Lebanon.

Acute Rheumatic Fever among Primary School Students in Harari Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Background: In many developed countries, acute rheumatic fever is eradicated through strong health promotion and prevention efforts; yet, it continues to cause serious health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with acute rheumatic fever among primary school students in Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of four primary schools from November, 2015 to April, 2016. Data were collected according to modified Jones criteria with confirmation of preceding infection by anti-streptolysin –O titre. Factors associated with the outcome were identified using logistic regression. Odds ratios and the corresponding confidence intervals were used to report the findings. Results: Out of 1739 school children with the mean age of 11.5 years (6-19 years), 21 had Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). The two week prevalence of acute rheumatic fever and tonsillopharyngitis were 21/1739 (1.2%) and 231/1739 (13.2%) respectively. Regarding awareness towards causes of tonsillitis, 78% perceived consumption of cold foods and drinks. Factors associated with ARF were maternal illiteracy (AOR 5.54, 95% CI 1.07, 28.662) and urban school (AOR 0.254, 95% CI 0.084, 0.769). Conclusion: The prevalence of ARF among primary school children was high. School health education program focused on acute rheumatic fever causes and consequences are needed to increase awareness among children and their parents. (Less)

Integrating CSPAP into the PETE Programs at Southern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut State University

Collaboration among state legislators, Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) faculty, community leaders, teachers and school administrators is currently taking place in Connecticut to make it a physically active state through PASS (Physically Active Schools Systems). PASS is a comprehensive, system-wide initiative through which school districts in the state of Connecticut utilize opportunities for school-based physical activity that is embedded throughout the school day. However, a quality physical education program taught by a licensed physical educator must be at the core of PASS. CCSU and SCSU under the direction of Carol M. Ciotto and Marybeth H. Fede, respectively, are preparing their preservice teachers to not only understand the benefits of physically active school systems but also to be able to effectively implement a physically active program within various field experiences and their student teaching placement and eventually in their full-time employment. School and community partnerships have been and will continue to be established at both universities. These partnerships provide teacher candidates with the opportunity to go into various school districts and/or community organizations to work collaboratively with students, classroom teachers, school administrators, community leaders and state legislators to advocate for and implement PASS.It takes a village to raise one healthy child, and in that vein, a mass communication effort in Connecticut is taking root to craft the message and image of physical activity and physically active learning as an expectation and a right! This is beginning to take shape within the Connecticut physical education teacher education preparation programs. Educating our teacher candidates on comprehensive school health and physical education programs, comprehensive school physical activity programs (CSPAP) and PASS, is a much-needed foundation for the future health our nation.

Impact of school health education program on personal hygiene among school children of Lucknow district.

Background:Personal hygiene plays a major role to promote healthy life. This study was performed to assess the current level of knowledge and practicing behavior in regard to hand washing, bathing, tooth brushing, and taking care of nail and hair.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 800 students of Lucknow district. All the students were interviewed with a structured questionnaire (pretest). A visual display of good and bad personal hygiene was shown on projector and explained the benefits of good personal hygiene behavior. Again, structured questionnaire was given (posttest).Results:Most of the students belonged to the 10–12 years age group. The knowledge of the students regarding general body cleanliness was 87.5% in posttest as compared to 53.8% in pretest. Keeping the hair well-trimmed was considered as a part of personal hygiene by 38.0% of students. Knowledge about eating less food in diarrhea was positive in 80% of students. Only 12.5% of students accepted that diarrhea can kill children (pretest) while 100% (posttest) children were aware of this fact. Practice regarding change of clothes was on alternate day in 79.5% of students. Most of the students were found washing their hair once a week (72.5%) and 70% students were washing hands before meal.Conclusion:Overall trend of knowledge and practice about personal hygiene was in poor condition among students at the time of pretest. Posttest results were highly satisfactory.