School-based Education Program Research Articles

A school-based study of sexual health knowledge among sexually active adolescent girls in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: There is high burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy among young people. In many developing countries including Nigeria, there is paucity of literature on sexual health knowledge among sexually active adolescent girls, as key vulnerable population. This study aimed at assessing level of sexual health knowledge among adolescent secondary school girls in Calabar, Nigeria.Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used, with recruitment of randomly selected sexually active adolescent girls in three public secondary schools in Calabar. Sexual health knowledge was assessed using structured, pre-tested questionnaire, knowledge scores were converted to percentage, and 50% or greater was considered satisfactory. Factors associated with level of knowledge was assessed using Chi-square test, with p value set at 0.05.Results: One hundred and eight (180) respondents were studied, with mean age of 17.4±1.2 years (14-19 years). Mean age at sexual debut was 15.0±2.1 years, ranging from 11 to 19 years. Mean knowledge score (out of maximum of 62) was 25.4±4.2 (9-49), corresponding to 41.0±7.8% (14.5 to 79.0%). Sixty respondents (33.3%) had satisfactory level of knowledge on sexual health. Higher level of paternal and maternal education, married parental status, were associated with satisfactory level of knowledge.Conclusions: There is suboptimal level of sexual health knowledge among sexually active school girls in Calabar. There is urgent need to provide sexual health educational interventions. The school-based family life HIV education (FLHE) program, should be revived, to mitigate sourcing of false sexual health information from peers.

Digital implementation of originally school-based stroke educational programme in Greece due to the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This paper describes the digitalization process of an originally school-based educational programme to an online version and confirms its efficacy on teaching young children as well as their parents about stroke symptoms and the necessary actions needed to be taken in the event of a stroke. Forty children (20 children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and 20 without NDDs), aged 4–9 years, as well as 35 of these children’s parents (30–50 years old) participated in the study in Greece. All individuals watched 5 educational videos, designed and produced by the Super Grand League Team. Each video had a mean duration of 15 minutes. Most children had no prior knowledge neither in stroke symptoms nor to the appropriate actions after a stroke. Children’s knowledge of stroke symptoms (except the symptom of speech disturbance) and the appropriate actions following stroke improved significantly immediately post training (p < 0.05). Children with NDDs demonstrated no significant differences when compared to their peers without NDDs in regards to the knowledge gains. In the same line, parents showed a significant increase in their knowledge as regards the stroke symptoms (p < 0.001). Only 2 parents (5.7%) knew the correct emergency number before participating in the online programme, while all of them (100%) responded correctly after the programme. The current work using multimodal remote education demonstrates significant improvement in learning about stroke symptomatology and the necessary steps that need to follow. Future work should evaluate the impact of digital interventions in respect of onset-to-door times and stroke outcomes.

Can We Learn from Our Children About stroke? Effectiveness of a School-Based Educational Programme in Greece

ObjectivesWe describe new findings from the implementation of an educational school-based stroke awareness programme, FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) 112 Heroes, that teaches kindergarten children about stroke symptomatology and the appropriate action plan. The goal of our study was to examine whether the population mostly affected by stroke, i.e. the elderly, can be educated by young children, who have attended the programme. Materials and MethodsThe educational programme was implemented face-to-face in a kindergarten in Athens, Greece, once a week for five consecutive weeks for one hour per week. Preschoolers (n = 137, aged 4.1-7, mean age=5.3) were enrolled in the programme and nominated two elderly members of their extended family (grandparents) as their own superheroes. Family members received personalized stroke-related material. Stroke awareness of the grandparents was measured before programme implementation (phase 1), after (prior to receiving the printed personalized stroke-related material, phase 2) and three months after receiving the printed personalized stroke-related material (phase 3). ResultsData was obtained from 63 grandparents (48 women; aged 60-84, mean age=69.5 years). Family members demonstrated significant increases in stroke symptom knowledge (p < 0.001) and appropriate course of action (p ≤ 0.001) after participating in the program (phase 2) and receiving printed personalized stroke-related material (phase 3). The majority of the participants (86.84%) reported positive feedback about the received material, the programme, and their interaction with their grandchildren during the programme. ConclusionsElderly family members outside the nuclear family can be successfully educated about stroke through their grandchildren and the FAST 112 Heroes programme.

Contributions of universal school-based mental health promotion to the wellbeing of adolescents and preadolescents: a systematic review of educational interventions

PurposeThe study aims to determine the contributions of universal school-based educational programs to the current and future worldwide youth mental health condition.Design/methodology/approachA systematic search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Academic education and health databases including ERIC, Education Database, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, Psychology Database, and PubMed were used. Characteristics and outcomes of educational interventions developed in school settings and education potential for mental health promotion were examined.FindingsUniversal school-based mental health educational programs positively affect preadolescents and adolescents. The study review provided further insight into educational programs' characteristics and identified two primary curricula foci: mental health education and development of resiliency traits and skills.Originality/valueResearch on mental health promotion using a pedagogical approach is rare as most studies focus on mental health symptomatology and psychotherapy techniques training.

The determinants of pregnancy health literacy among youth in Bogalay Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar

Background: Focusing on adolescent reproductive health is very important, as 16% of the world's population is adolescents. This study aimed to identify the determinants of teenage pregnancy health literacy among youth and explore the perception of teenage pregnancy among youth and their guardians.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed-method approach to identify the determinants and perception of pregnancy health literacy among youth in Bogale Township, Ayeyarwaddy region, Myanmar, between July and December 2020. We did the face-to-face personal interviews with guided self-administered questionnaires among 310 youth and individual depth interviews with 12 youth and 12 of their parents.Results: About 43% (95% CI 37.1%, 48.1%) were well-versed in pregnancy health literacy issues. This study discovered that youth with high school education and less had a 6.8 (95% CI =1.4, 34.7) fold increase in odds of having poor pregnancy health literacy compared to those with higher education. Moreover, youth who could not earn their income was approximately 5.7 times more likely to have poor pregnancy health literacy than those who could earn. The majority of youth requested to disseminate reproductive health information through various media and channels and that health facilities be well-equipped to provide reproductive health care services to teenagers.Conclusions: Sexual and reproductive health education/teaching programs and adolescents-friendly reproductive health services should be effectively implemented to prevent teenage pregnancy and ensure safer sex practices among teenagers. School-based sexual education programs must involve and assist parents and teachers in taking a more active role in SRH education in schools.

Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions Improved Adolescents' Knowledge and Behaviors in Indonesia.

Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable and critical life stage. However, few programs and policies focus on improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia. To address this gap, we implemented a gender-responsive package of interventions: (1) breakfast and weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS), (2) a school-based nutrition education program, and (3) a social behavior change communication strategy. We surveyed 514 adolescents at baseline (2019) and endline (2020) in Klaten and Lombok Barat districts in Indonesia. The survey included a knowledge assessment on nutrition, as well as indicators of attitudes and behaviors on diet, physical activity, and WIFS. We employed multivariable linear and logistic regression to test for pre–post intervention differences. Overall knowledge was significantly higher post-intervention (: 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6, 3.9). Diet diversity was high at both timepoints, however, at post-intervention there was significantly higher odds of consuming vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.0) and lower odds of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.5). Post-intervention, there was higher odds of reporting 60 min of daily physical activity (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.2) and WIFS among girls (OR: 6.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 30.9). The package of interventions may be a promising first step to improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia.

PRINCIPALS' PERSPECTIVE ON SCHOOL-BASED TEACHER EDUCATION

Teaching is one of the most important professions in the society. The teacher is the main facilitator of the education provided to the students. The teacher should update the knowledge by completing his / her training requirements from time to time after the basic teacher education he / she receives. A school-based teacher education program has been introduced for school teachers for this purpose. The main objective of the study was to identify the professional development needs of school teachers through this school-based teacher education programs. The main objective is to study the existing school-based teacher education. Accordingly, the study was conducted based on three specific objectives. Identify principals' perspective on school-based teacher education, identify problems and issues faced in the implementation of school-based teacher education and Make recommendations for the development of school-based teacher education. Data obtained from a questionnaire and an interview revealed that principals have gained awareness and training in school-based teacher education programs. It was also observed that a school-based teacher education program has been included in the annual plan of the school and the training needs of the teachers have been identified and there is an active contribution of the teachers. It was revealed that they must seek the help of experts and face financial problems. Accordingly, it was concluded that the Denuwara Zone principals have a good understanding of school-based teacher development. Recommendations were also made to further raise awareness on a school-based teacher development program, to establish an expert pool, to formulate a regulatory program and to increase financial allocations.

Effects of \u2018SPRAT\u2019 programme for dietary and lifestyle education to improve psychosomatic symptoms and dietary habits among adolescents: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundDietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce subjective psychosomatic symptoms (SPS) have become an important topic worldwide. We developed a school-based dietary and lifestyle education programme that involved parents/guardians in reducing SPS in adolescents (SPRAT). The programme encouraged parents/guardians to participate in adolescents’ healthy dietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce SPS, increase enjoyment of school life, and foster appropriate dietary intake. This study evaluated the effectiveness of SPRAT in reducing SPS and in altering dietary behaviour among adolescents.MethodsA 6-month cluster randomised controlled trial using SPRAT and the usual school programme (control) was performed. Participants were middle school students in Japan who provided informed consent. Outcomes were SPS scores assessed at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after baseline and the proportions of dietary and lifestyle factors achieved such as enjoyment of school life and dietary intakes assessed by FFQW82. Change from baseline (CFB) at 6 months was the primary endpoint. A linear mixed-effects model was applied. As for dietary intake, the treatment effect was estimated as an interaction term between baseline and treatment “baseline*treatment”.ResultsThe intention-to treat analysis included 951 (94.7%) and 1035 (89.8%) individuals in the SPRAT and control groups, respectively. The CFB in the 6-month SPS score adjusted for baseline was lower in the SPRAT group (-0.29) than in the control group (0.62), but the difference was not statistically significant -0.91 (p = 0.093).ConclusionsAlthough the primary endpoint tended to denote improvement in the SPRAT group compared to the control group, the improvement was not significant. Favourable effects were observed in some secondary outcomes and statistically significant treatment*baseline interactions were observed for several dietary intakes. These results imply that CFBs of dietary intake were increased or decreased in a favourable direction depending on the baseline intake, especially in the SPRAT group.Trial registrationUMIN000026715. (27/03/2017)

Dose Matters in Evaluation of a School-Based Adolescent Sexual Health Education Program.

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDResearch on the effects of intervention dose on outcomes within adolescent sexual health education programming is lacking. Existing research on dose typically utilizes the number of sessions as a variable. In a school setting, there are scheduling limitations, student absences, and other logistical barriers that have the potential to affect the number of sessions for an intervention and, in turn, impact the efficacy of programming.METHODSThis article evaluates the effectiveness of a school‐based, peer‐led adolescent comprehensive sexual health education program, with a focus on dose. A repeated measures MANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of individual difference variables and intervention variables on changes in participants' knowledge and attitudes across 2 time points. Additionally, paired t‐tests were used to evaluate changes in specific behaviors.RESULTSResults indicated that knowledge improved following the intervention, and specifically larger doses, measured in minutes, of the intervention were associated with larger improvements in knowledge. There were no significant effects related to attitudes or behavioral outcomes.CONCLUSIONSThis study adds to the knowledge base by including analysis of how the dose of intervention may impact youth outcomes. Implications for school health practices and research are discussed.

Personal resilience of first-year, alternatively certified agriscience teachers

A wide range of challenges continues to exist in delivering school-based agricultural education (SBAE) programs. Among the most pressing challenges are the recruitment and retention of high-quality agriculture teachers (Guffey &amp; Young, 2020). Teacher educators and researchers in SBAE are tasked with meeting the nationwide demand for teachers, while also better understanding the status of alternatively certified agriculture teachers (Foster et al., 2020). This study explored the challenges, coping strategies, and personal resilience of first-year agriscience teachers in Florida who held a temporary teaching certificate. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, seven alternatively certified Florida agriculture teachers were interviewed. The personal resilience framework developed by Hoopes (2017) guided this study, as researchers examined alternatively certified teachers’ experiences and responses to challenges in their teaching. Emergent themes included prior plans to teach, overwhelming expectations, supportive networks, aspects of resilience, and feelings of motivation and inspiration. This study highlights the need for proactive professional development and support systems for first-year, alternatively certified agriculture teachers.

Identifying factors associated with adolescents' Intention for childbirth.

Around the world, caesarean section rates have steadily increased over the past few decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on nonclinical interventions to reduce caesarean section rates emphasize educational interventions and support programs. In this study, we have determined factors associated with adolescents' intention regarding childbirth options using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The sample was comprised of 480 high school students in Greece who were invited to complete a questionnaire consisting of three sections: a section on sociodemographic data; a section featuring the Adolescents' Intentions towards Birth Options (AIBO) scale, a recently developed instrument that accesses attitudes and intentions regarding vaginal birth and caesarean section; and a section detailing participants' awareness regarding reproduction and birth. Multiple logistic regression found that participants' impressions of vaginal birth and the TPB constructs were significantly associated with intention towards caesarean section. In particular, participants with a negative impression of vaginal birth had a 2.20-fold higher probability of reporting their preference for caesarean section, compared to participants with neither a negative nor a positive impression. Furthermore, participants with higher scores on the "Attitudes towards vaginal birth," "Subjective norms," and "Perceived behavior control over vaginal birth" subscales had a significantly lower probability of reporting preference for caesarean section. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of the TPB to identify factors that influence adolescents' preference for childbirth. We highlight the necessity to implement nonclinical interventions to reduce the preference for caesarean section, providing evidence for developing school-based educational programs for a timely and consistency implementation.

Adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health education: perspectives from secondary school teachers in Northern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Lack of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education contributes to poor SRH outcomes for adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. School-based comprehensive SRH education programmes in low- and middle-income countries aim to advance gender equality and human rights and reduce risky sexual behaviours in adolescents. However, the implementation of these programmes in Northern Nigeria is opposed by community and religious institutions because of mistrust of health interventions perceived as being framed on Western ideologies. This study explored perceptions of such programmes among secondary school staff in Northern Nigeria. We focused on knowledge and beliefs about comprehensive SRH education programmes, and views about barriers to delivery and ways to support their inclusion in schools. Sixteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with teachers and head teachers. Participants were aged 33–54 years and came from four public secondary schools in two states (Kano and Jigawa). Findings showed conflicting gender-based perspectives on the importance of comprehensive SRH education in schools. Barriers to delivery included lack of adequate skills and knowledge, beliefs/cultural norms and wider societal barriers. Involving traditional and religious leaders and schools in the design of tailored approaches could strengthen future delivery.

Effects of a Sexual Risk-Reduction Intervention for Teenagers: A Cluster-Randomized Control Trial

This study evaluated the efficacy of the COMPAS program in the short term and 6 months after its application. For the initial sample, 2047 teenagers aged 14–19 years from 14 schools in 11 Colombian cities participated; eight schools were randomly assigned to the experimental condition and six to the control group. The participants completed self-report assessments that evaluated several variables theoretically associated with protective sexual behaviors. In the short term, the experimental group showed increased knowledge about HIV and other STIs, sexual assertiveness, self-efficacy, greater behavioral intention toward condom use, and more favorable attitudes toward HIV and condom use than the control group. After 6 months, most psychological and health variables also showed a significant positive change. In conclusion, the COMPAS program is the first school-based sexuality education program that has been shown to be effective in reducing mediating and behavioral variables associated with sexual risk reduction in Colombia.

Distilling the curriculum: An analysis of alcohol industry-funded school-based youth education programmes.

Background and aimFor decades, corporations such as the tobacco and fossil fuel industries have used youth education programmes and schools to disseminate discourses, ideas and values favourable to their positions, and to pre-empt regulation that threatens profits. However, there is no systematic research into alcohol industry-funded youth education programmes. This article serves to address this important gap in the literature.MethodsUsing a discourse theoretical approach informed by poststructural discourse theory and critical discourse analysis, we analysed teaching materials from three school-based youth education initiatives which focus on alcohol consumption and health harms: Drinkaware for Education, The Smashed Project (funded by Diageo), and Talk About Alcohol (Alcohol Education Trust). These materials, some of which are disseminated internationally, are provided to schools through intermediary bodies in receipt of alcohol industry funding.FindingsThe analysis found that these materials drew from and presented discourses of personal responsibility, moderate alcohol consumption, and involved a narrowing of the problem definition and causes. The locus of the problem is located by the discourses within individuals including youth, with causes of youth alcohol consumption repeatedly presented as peer pressure and ‘poor choices’, with little or no mention of alcohol industry marketing or other practices. All programmes promoted familiarisation and normalisation of alcohol as a ‘normal’ adult consumer product which children must learn about and master how to use responsibly when older. The discourses constructed in these materials closely align with those of other alcohol industry corporate social responsibility discourses which employ selective presentation of harms, including misinformation about cancer, and ambiguous terms such as “responsible drinking”. Furthermore, the role of alcohol price, availability and access, and the impacts of alcohol and the industry on inequities were not articulated within the discourses. The research was limited to an analysis of teaching materials and further research is needed to explore their impact on youth, teachers and wider discourses and social norms.ConclusionAlcohol industry-sponsored youth education programmes serve industry interests and promote moderate consumption while purportedly educating children about harms and influences of alcohol use. There are considerable conflicts of interest in the delivery of alcohol education programmes funded by the alcohol industry and intermediary bodies in receipt of such funding. Alcohol education materials should be developed independent from industry, including funding, and should empower children and young people to understand and think critically about alcohol, including harms and drivers of consumption, and effective interventions needed to protect them and others from alcohol-related harms. Independent organisations can use this analysis to critique their materials to strengthen alignment with meeting student and public health interests. The ongoing exposure of children and young people to such conflicted and misleading materials needs urgent attention from policymakers, practitioners, teachers and parents, and resources dependent on industry support should cease being used in schools.

Effectiveness of a school-based nutrition education program on waist circumference and dietary behavior among overweight adolescents in Puducherry, India.

The influence of western lifestyle such as high-caloric dense food and sedentary lifestyle has a great influence on Indian children, and the current prevalence of childhood overweight in India ranges between 4% and 22%. The primary aim of the study was to determine the change in growth parameters (waist circumference) as well as dietary behaviors at baseline and at the end of first, third, sixth, and ninth months among overweight adolescent girls and boys following a school-based nutritional education program. The study was conducted in 2019 in four urban schools at Puducherry which were randomly assigned to study and control groups by lottery method, and 140 overweight children aged 11-14 years were in the study group and 140 children were in the control group. Simple random sampling method was used to select the samples A nutrition education program highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition and the ill effects of obesity was imparted to students in the study group through a PowerPoint presentation. As a means of reinforcement, posters and pamphlets were distributed. The waist circumference and the mean calorie, protein, and fat intake were assessed at baseline and at the first, third, sixth, and ninth months and compared between groups using independent t test. There was a statistically significant reduction in waist circumference in the study group when compared to the control group at P < 0.05. A significant decrease in the calorie intake at P < 0.001 and fat intake at P < 0.01 was observed in the study group. The protein intake in the study group increased at the end of 9 months, which was significant at P < 0.001. School-based nutritional education program has been found to be a successful intervention in controlling unnecessary weight gain among overweight adolescents.

Impact of School-based Online Oral Health Education Programme during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interventional Study in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Oral Health (OH) is essential to general health and quality of life. It is affected by the individual's experiences and perceptions. Aim: To evaluate the effect of online Oral Health Education (OHE) programme on OH knowledge level on school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This interventional cross-sectional study was conducted virtually on school students in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, between February 2021 and May 2021. The sample was based on non probability convenience sampling technique in which 489 students participated in the study. The electronic survey consisted of questions about demographics, school characteristics, and OH knowledge. Online OHE was conducted by dental students of Vision colleges via Zoom and Microsoft teams. Collected data were analysed using using IBM, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, IL, USA. Comparison of differences in the mean knowledge scores across different variables was done using independent t-test for two means and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for more than two means. Linear regression analysis was used to analyse the association between knowledge and other variables in a multivariate environment, and presented by β coefficients and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI). Significance level was set at p-value &lt;0.05. Results: Online education had significantly increased the level of knowledge about OH compared to no education (β: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.89, p-value=0.04). Students in public schools had significantly higher level of knowledge about OH compared to private schools (β: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.10, 1.11, p-value=0.02). Compared to ‘1st to 3rd grade’, students in ‘middle to high grades’ had significantly lower knowledge about OH (β:-1.17, 95% CI:-1.87,-0.47, p-value=0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that the online health education programme increased the OH knowledge of school students. Students in public schools had higher level about OH compared to private schools’ students. Additionally, primary schools’ children had higher knowledge than middle and higher schools’ children.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of School Teachers Regarding Dental Caries for School Children in Navi Mumbai, India

Background: Schools form a platform for molding habits in children, and teachers have a potential role in school-based dental education programs. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of school teachers regarding dental caries in children in schools of Navi Mumbai. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among school teachers in Navi Mumbai. A total of 554 teachers completed the questionnaire, which included questions on demographic data, knowledge about etiology of dental caries, its prevention, their attitude, practice, and role of teachers in the management of dental caries. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: A total of 554 school teachers filled the questionnaire. The number of female teachers (84.8%) was very high as compared to male teachers. Approximately 60% of study population considered bacteria and amount of sweets consumed as the cause of dental caries. More than 52% considered eating less sugar as one of the ways to prevent caries. Furthermore, 57.4% of teachers were willing to implement future training programs on caries prevention. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding dental caries among school teachers in Navi Mumbai was adequate. Teachers were willing to participate in oral health promotion training programs.

An Investigation into the Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Curbing Teenage Pregnancies among Secondary School Girls: a Case of Five Selected Secondary Schools in Samfya District of Luapula Province

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a rights-based approach to comprehensive sexuality education which seeks to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which they need to determine and enjoy their sexuality physically and emotionally while the primary goal of the school-based sexuality education programme is to build on knowledge, skills and behaviours thus enabling young people to make responsible and safe choices as well as prepare them for sexually healthy adulthood. Learners need to be aware of the different kinds of development and the impact they have on their lives such as globalization, arrival of new population groups with different cultural and religious backgrounds, the rapid spread of new media, particularly the internet, internet pornography and mobile phone technology, the emergence of HIV and AIDS and increasing concerns about STIs. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of comprehensive sexuality education on curbing teenage pregnancies among secondary school girls in Samfya district of Luapula Province. The study employed a mixed method paradigm of an embedded method and descriptive survey design that used purposive and simple random sampling to select 5 Head teachers, 5 Guidance and counselling teachers, 20 teachers, 10 parents and 60 learners. Data was obtained from respondents by means of interviews, questionnaires and classroom observation schedules. Frequency, percentages, tables, graphs and pie-charts were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data obtained. Data was then analyzed by use of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) computer package. The findings revealed poor implementation and teaching of comprehensive sexuality education and lack of qualified guidance and counselling teachers in schools.

Effects of School-Based Educational Program on Backpack Carrying Behavior in Teenage Students.

One of the most serious issues is the growing prevalence of backaches among adolescent students as a result of carrying backpacks. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an education program (remedial information) on the school backpack carrying habits of adolescent students. The study sample consisted of 138 adolescent students aged 12 to 16 from 4 schools who were randomly assigned to either the experimental (N = 69) or control (N = 69) groups. The experimental group was subjected to a 6-week education program consisting of 6 sessions, whereas the control group received no educational intervention. During the pre-test and 3 months after the intervention, participants completed a questionnaire. The results (healthy items) were as follows: (1) carry as little as possible, (2) carry a school backpack on both shoulders, and (3) use lockers or something similar. After a 3-month follow-up, healthy items in the experimental group improved, but no significant changes were observed in the control group. When compared to the baseline, the experimental group’s healthy backpack usage habits improved significantly at the post-test (P = .001). The current study’s findings show that school-based education interventions on backpack behaviors improve the school-bag carrying habits of adolescent students.

“A Little Bit Closer”: A Mixed Method Analysis of the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives of Adolescent Parents

Using a Family Stress Model framework, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of the pandemic on Latinx pregnant and parenting adolescents and their families. Participants were 406 adolescents (ages 14–19) in the southwestern U.S. who participated in a school-based relationship education program for pregnant and parenting adolescents. In the quantitative analysis, we compared self-reported mental health (depressive symptoms, worry, parental stress), coparental relationships (conflict and communication), and parenting of adolescents who participated prior to the pandemic ( N = 357; 83.6% female; 84.7% Latinx) with those who participated during the pandemic ( N = 49; 74.6% female; 87.8% Latinx). Unexpectedly, the pandemic-period cohort reported fewer depressive symptoms, less parental stress, more frequent coparental communication, and more positive coparental communication and conflict management than the pre-pandemic cohort. For the qualitative analysis, we conducted focus groups and individual interviews with 21 adolescent parents (95.2% female; 90.5% Latinx) from the pandemic-period cohort and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. Participants reported many negative effects of the pandemic, including increased economic and health stress, yet also discussed reduced pressure with school and more time with family members. These findings have important implications for enhancing the well-being of adolescent parents and their children after the pandemic.