School Health Education Research Articles

New York continuing its move forward in school MH education

New York state paved the way for mental health education in schools, becoming the first state to require mental health education as part of the school curriculum for students from kindergarten to grade 12. Mental Health America (MHA) last month released a new report on the need for public policy to respond to the growing mental health crisis affecting youth at the state and national levels (see related story beginning on page 3).

SCHOOL HYGIENE PROMOTION APPROACHES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON PUPIL’S HYGIENE PRACTICES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN DAGORETTI, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine hygiene promotion approaches that were being employed by public primary schools in Dagoretti North and South Sub Counties in Nairobi City County and whether the approaches influenced hygiene behaviors that were practiced by pupils.
 Methodology: The study applied a descriptive cross-sectional design. Questionnaires were administered to 384 pupils with the aim of collecting data on hygiene knowledge and practices. A questionnaire was also used to collect data on hygiene promotion approaches from 32 school health teachers. Pupils’ demographic data was collected from school head teachers. Five key informant interviews were conducted with Nairobi City County public health and education officers and a staff from a non-governmental organization that was implementing school hygiene activities in Dagoretti South and North Sub Counties. Observation checklists were used to triangulate information on hygiene practices by pupils. Analysis was done using SPSS software.
 Findings: Results indicate that 95.6% of the pupils practiced hand washing at critical times, 98.7% used the toilet while 85.4% safely disposed solid waste. The study reveals that water, sanitation and hygiene in schools approach is implemented by 31.3% of the school health teachers. There was a significant relationship between school health clubs approach and hand washing at critical times (p=0.04) and proper solid waste disposal (p=0.02). One way analysis of variance established that there is a significant difference among hygiene promotion approaches and pupils hygiene knowledge, F(5, 162) = 6.41, p <.05 ƞ²p = 0.076.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study establishes that different hygiene promotion approaches have the potential to influence hygiene practices and in particular, hand washing at critical times and proper solid waste disposal amongst pupils. The study recommends the use of school health clubs approach for hygiene promotion at public primary schools

The omission and minimisation of sexual decision-making skills in US sex education textbooks

ABSTRACT Decision-making has been identified as one of the most important skillsets in sexual health. This exploratory qualitative study explored how US middle and high school textbooks integrate the recommended sexual health decision-making skills recommended by Future of Sex Education (FOSE), a collaboration of organisations in the USA supporting comprehensive sex education. Using content analysis, we assessed 13 U.S. middle and high school health education textbooks recommended by school districts, state boards of education, and publishers. While textbooks touched on the knowledge and content areas for each skill set, skills were not taught to the extent that the skill was achieved or using a scaffolded approach that showed significant growth from middle to high school textbooks. As a result, young people receive inadequate content to competently perform the skills recommended by current National Standards. Changing state and district level health and sex education policies and aligning the curriculum with these standards, can better promote youth sexual decision-making.

Opportunities for strengthening sexual health education in schools: Findings from a student needs assessment in NSW.

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is important for the sexual and reproductive health of young people. To better understand young people's views and experiences of sexual health education in NSW, a student needs assessment survey was conducted in 2017. This paper presents the findings from 1603 NSW students in Years 8-12 following online recruitment. Descriptive analyses explored students' views and experiences in relation to sources of sexual health information, education providers, school-based topics covered and resources drawn on. Findings indicate that school, parents, friends and social media are students' most common sources of information on sexual and reproductive health. Approximately one-third of students reported wanting more information on topics related to relationships, reproductive health, consent and sexual decision-making and sexual harassment, abuse and bullying, and two-thirds of transgender and gender diverse students wanted more information on gender identity. For the topics which students reported receiving the least information about at school, they were most likely to seek this out on social media and websites. Findings provide valuable insight for improving CSE in NSW. The influence of social media, parents and the internet should be taken into consideration when developing resources and programme content. Professional development for educators could contribute to improving the quality of CSE delivered. Accurate and up to date resources must be utilised to support student engagement and effective learning.

Detection of Hookworm (Necator Americanus) and Other Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Primary School Children in Sokoto Metropolis

Background: Hookworm is an intestinal parasite of human and is one of the major public health burdens in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that about 3.5 billion people globally and 450 million people are thought to be ill as a result of such infections, the majority being children.
 Aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hookworm and other intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children
 Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in among patients attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Sokoto state, between March to November, 2017.
 Methodology: A total of 224 participants were enrolled for the study. Standard parasitological examination was carried out on stool samples using microscopy followed by formal ether concentration methods
 Results: Finding revealed, an overall prevalence of 4.5% out of 224 samples examined recorded for both Hookworm and other intestinal parasitic infection. There was high prevalence rate of Hookworm and other intestinal parasitic infection among males (5.3%) than females (3.6%).29 (12%) were positive for intestinal parasitic infections. Males recorded higher prevalence than the females with 19 (11.9%) and 10 (11.8%) respectively
 Conclusion: The total low prevalence rate of Hookworm and other intestinal parasitic infection may be as a result of improved standard of living and awareness of the Hookworm and other intestinal parasites in the study area. The government, non-governmental agencies and private individuals should help in the provision of social amenities to ensure total eradication of these diseases. The teaching of health education in both private schools should be encouraged by the government which will go a long way in reducing prevalence and intensity of Hookworm infections among the study community.

A potential new front in health communication to encourage vaccination: Health education teachers

ObjectiveTo assess the potential for a new channel for effective vaccine health communication in the United States: the nation’s health education teachers. MethodsContent analysis of current curricular standards governing health education in the fifty states and the District of Columbia, and a 2019 nationally representative survey of middle and high school health education teachers in the United States. ResultsOnly 12 states require any discussion of vaccines or immunization, and none provide detailed guidance to teachers on critical knowledge that might help young adults make wise immunization decisions. Only 42% of teachers discuss benefits of vaccination and immunization in their classes. In contrast to the teaching of evolution and climate change, only a small minority (2.4%) are classified as vaccine skeptics. ConclusionsPublic school health education classes are an under-utilized health communication channel with the unrealized potential to convey medically accurate information to millions of young Americans. Low levels of vaccine skepticism among teachers suggest that this channel can be effectively utilized to improve vaccination uptake and thereby improve collective health outcomes.

Impact of School Health Education on Prevalence of Dengue Fever in Lucknow City, India

Of the six vector-borne diseases prevalent in the country, dengue is the second largest cause of morbidity and mortality. The disease is widely prevalent in all parts of the country with variation in intensity including Uttar Pradesh, the largest state of India. Though the disease is known to be urban in nature, cases are being reported from rural areas too. Uttar Pradesh experienced a statewide outbreak of dengue in 2016 and reported 15033 cases and 42 deaths, of which 2772 cases (18.44% of the state) and 18 deaths (42.86% of the state) occurred in the district of Lucknow. The disease is tackled under the guidelines of the Directorate of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). Accordingly, source reduction and prevention from mosquito bites are the most important techniques in order to prevent the disease spread. Various means like pamphlets and posters containing signs and symptoms of the disease including source reduction and prevention from mosquito bites, written in simple language (Hindi), video clips etc. were used as health educational material. Selected secondary/junior schools were visited as per daily schedule during the month of July in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The sensitisation of the school children played a significant role in bringing down dengue morbidity by 83.73% and 74.74% and mortality by 88.89% and 94.44%, during 2017 and 2018, respectively in comparison to 2016, whereas the case fatality rate (CFR) declined from 0.65% in 2016 to 0.14% in 2018, as the school children along with their teachers played an important role in sensitisation towards the prevention of dengue, due to which they not only became actively involved but also communicated the required messages pertaining to the elimination of breeding sites and prevention from mosquito bites.

Progress in school health and health education during the "13th Five-Year Plan" period

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, student health is the top priority in school health policies and health education practice, which have achieved a major milestone in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents, school health education promotion, as well as school food safety management, and the prevention and management of school communicable diseases. This editorial elaborates on practices of school health and health education during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, and introduces national school health strategic policies and implementation, providing fundamental support for Healthy China 2030 and Healthy China Action Plan.

Analysis of the Nutrition, Self-Care Skills, and Health Professional Support in Schools of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

AIMThis study aimed to determine the nutrition, self-care skills, and health professional support of children with autism spectrum disorder.METHODThis is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The parents of 82 children with autism spectrum disorder agreed to participate as part of a study group in 8 special education schools in 3 districts. The schools were selected on the basis of their levels of sociodemographic development. The data were collected and analysed between September 2016 and July 2017 using a two-section questionnaire developed after a literature review.RESULTSThe majority of the parents (63.4%) had sufficient knowledge with regard to autism spectrum disorder, but the issues that were most lacking in terms of education were care, nutrition, and skills related to daily living (36.2%). The parents wanted to be educated on “nutrition problems,” and “activities of daily living.” The majority of the children lacked self-care skills (82.9%).CONCLUSIONThe most frequently observed nutrition problem in children with autism spectrum disorder was selective eating. In line with the literature, the majority of the children in this study were found to be unable to care for themselves. School nurses can provide support in terms of nutrition and self-care skills in these schools. School health education programmes for parents can be developed to allow for the more rapid and effective resolution of nutrition and self-care problems.

Rebranding School Health: The Power of Education for Health Literacy.

The relationship between health and learning generally goes without question in developed countries, and has a philosophic, economic, and statutory basis. Historically, school health and school health education have evolved in response to addressing the public health needs of the times. Health literacy skills are more important now than ever. Living in an ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic reminds us of the vital role of being in control of our health, wherein health literacy plays a "life or death" role in our daily lives. Considering the evolution of school health education, we examine the significance of health literacy in our society and schools in contemporary times. We must take a critical look at a place for education for health literacy and why it should be an innovative path in adaptive, reimagined, and revitalized schools. It is time to rebrand school health in general, and school health education specifically. Improved health literacy is an asset leading to greater opportunities for health and life-long learning.

A biblioguidance approach to understanding and developing adolescents' social-emotional competence in the health education classroom: a formative research study

PurposeThough the benefits of social-emotional competence (SEC) are well-recognized, measuring it and designing appropriately matched interventions remains elusive and methodologically challenging. This paper shares formative research designed to uncover the SEC of one secondary school health teacher's students and to help her make evidence-based curricular and instructional decisions.Design/methodology/approachInspired by bibliguidance (or bibliotherapeutic) approaches to well-being, the researchers and teacher developed a fiction literature curriculum intended to foster SEC and health literacy skills. A mixed-method approach was used to gather and analyze data from 133 students and a teacher. A survey and journal entries embedded into the curriculum, and an interview were the sources.FindingsResults indicate the curriculum paired well with national standards for health education and a respected SEC framework; it also served well as a vehicle to reveal students' SEC. Students appeared to be competent in some areas and less in others, and there were differences between self-assessed and expressed competence.Practical implicationsBiblioguidance approaches to developing SEC in health education and other school subjects are worth continued investigation. The current results will be used to revise the curriculum and to develop supplemental materials.Originality/valueIn sharing the processes and findings, the authors hope teachers seeking to foster their students' SEC will replicate this work. Further, they hope health educators will gain recognition as the ideal professionals to deliver social-emotional learning instruction in schools.

Puberty challenges of female adolescents with visual impairment

Physical, psychological, emotional, and social maturity is one of the main challenges occurring during adolescence and is associated with dramatic changes in adolescents. However, these challenges are worsened when the adolescent has a disability in addition to pubertal changes. Accordingly, the present study aimed to explore the puberty challenges of female adolescents with visual impairment.This study is qualitative in terms of its design and an applied study in terms of its objectives and was conducted using a descriptive phenomenology. The research population included all female adolescents with visual impairment who were studying in high school in Tehran in 2020. The participants were blind and visually impaired girls who were selected from the Narjes educational Complex for Blind Girls using purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were saturated after interviewing 15 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method of data analysis. The challenges faced by the female adolescents with visual impairment were categorized into four main themes including “worrying emotions experienced during puberty,” “development of emotional and love needs,” “redefining social relationships with family and others,” and “lack of information resources on puberty.” This study showed that the lack of information resources, awareness about puberty for female adolescents with visual impairment, the way others treat the puberty of girls, and adolescents’ own reaction to the phenomenon of puberty affect their quality of life in this period. Therefore, paying attention to the experience of female adolescents with visual impairment about the phenomenon of puberty provides a true picture of the feelings, needs, and challenges for visually impaired female adolescents during puberty, their families, school health educators, health professionals, and school counselors.

‘No test, no disease’: Multilevel barriers to HIV testing among young men who have sex with men and transgender women in three semi-urban areas in Thailand

Young gay and other men who have sex with men and young transgender women in Thailand continue to be at high risk for HIV infection. We explored multilevel influences on HIV testing in order to inform the design of tailored interventions. We conducted four focus group discussions with 16–20-year-old gay men and transgender persons (n = 25) and 17 key informant interviews with healthcare providers, NGO leaders, and youth advocates. Focus groups and interviews were transcribed and reviewed using thematic analysis in Thai and English language by a bilingual team. We identified intersecting, culturally situated barriers at individual (lack of HIV knowledge, low HIV risk perception, denial), social (intersectional sexual- and HIV-related stigma, lack of family communication), institutional (inadequate and non-LGBT-inclusive sexual health education in schools, lack of youth-friendly clinics) and policy levels (parental consent requirements for HIV testing by minors). Multilevel and multisystem factors coalesce to form extensive barriers to HIV testing access and utilisation and promote disengagement from HIV prevention more broadly. Multicomponent, youth-engaged interventions informed by Thai sociocultural history and practices are needed in renewed approaches to HIV prevention and testing to end the epidemic among young gay and transgender people in Thailand.

What's in a Name? Re-Branding and Re-Framing School Health Education to School Boards and Legislators as Education for Health Literacy-A Commentary.

Branding involves "labeling" (for identification) and "meaning" (for understanding) to a product, service, person, idea, or other entity. We are familiar with "brands" of soft drinks, automobiles, mobile phones, soups, cigarettes, and sports teams, and some brands have greater "market share" than others. In this commentary, we review some of the ways that school health has been branded over the past 50+ years. The brand we know as school health education has failed to compete successfully with other school subject areas (eg, the so-called STEM subjects) for the attention of school board members, administrators, legislators, and other policymakers. Perhaps more importantly, school health education advocates have lost the market share game to subject areas that school board members and legislators see as ones with better return on investment, at least politically speaking. In short, we have failed to make the sale. An alternative is to re-brand and re-frame school health education as education for health literacy. Literacy as a brand commands the attention of education gatekeepers, and may be more strongly related conceptually to what gatekeepers see as education-centric programs deserving of funding. Adopting a marketing mindset may elevate education for health literacy to a place where key stakeholders are more likely to "purchase" it as a relevant school "product."

일본의 학교보건교육 교과과정 고찰

Objectives: In Japan, there are many disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and because of the high temperature and humid climate, health education for food poisoning may be particularly important. In addition, sexual problems caused by precociousness of adolescents, smoking and drinking are already serious socially important problems, and addiction problems are also emerging. Methods: Various publications from Japanese governments, interest groups such as government officers, health center workers, and people from health educators. For the information of Korean health education conditions, a current health educator and people from middle and high schools. Results: In 2012, based on the “Investigation Report on the Mind Care of Children in Emergency Disasters” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) situation of children in East Japan affected areas was discovered, and health education became important. In 2014, the “School Health and Safety Act Enforcement Rule” was amended, and health checkups are emphasized as part of school health. Conclusions: School health education in Japan differs from other health care systems in many ways with the system of Korea in the context of non-existence of official health education curriculum. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develope how the curriculum of school health education in Korea.

Knowledge and Attitude of Teachers Regarding Sexuality Education in Public Secondary Schools: The Case of Muleba District

With increase of health-related risk behavior among adolescence (students), a comprehensive sexual health education in schools has remained a solution to reduce these cases and challenges among youth. However, effectiveness of sexuality education in schools depends more on attitude and knowledge of teachers who impart knowledge and experience to students. With regard to that, this study aimed at assessing knowledge and attitude of teachers regarding sexuality education in public secondary schools. Muleba District was used as a study area. A cross-sectional design was used to guide a researcher in collecting data from 158 teachers using a close-ended questionnaire. The study findings showed positive attitude among teachers regarding key issues on sexuality education such as willingness to teach sexuality education. However, local cultural norms and beliefs distract their intention of teaching students about their sexuality and lack of formal training on sexuality matters increases teachers` anxiety and lower their confidence in handling various topics concerning sexuality education. This study recommends that short trainings on sexuality matters should be provided to teachers to increase their skills and confidence; and harmful cultural norms in local areas should be discouraged to ensure effectiveness of sexuality education in schools

Lessons learned from health education in Japanese schools.

A qualitative improvement in school health education is required to improve health for school-aged children in developing countries. This study aimed to clarify the factors that enable the provision of comprehensive and consistent health education in Japan. We reviewed health education in Japanese schools and the feature of curriculum revision, and clarified the factors that enable the provision of comprehensive and consistent health education. We identified nine points as enabling factors: (i) clear description of the purpose of health education; (ii) clear provision of teaching content and adequate time allocation; (iii) comprehensive school health framework and clarification of the position of the health education; (iv) systems for surveying and screening children's health problems; (v) regular revising of the Courses of Study; (vi) well trained teachers responsible for health education; (vii) health education specialists in higher education facilities; (viii) various materials related to health education; and (ix) collaboration with related health workers. We proposed measures to enhance health education in developing countries: (i) clarifying the role of health education toward achieving goals set out in laws and policies related to education; (ii) providing appropriate learning content and time allocation; (iii) establishing a comprehensive school health framework; (iv) establishing a system that continuously monitors children's health issues; (v) identifying the person responsible for health education in a school and establishing a training system; (vi) providing a teacher's guide and teaching materials to facilitate child participatory learning, and (vii) collaborating with guardians, community members, and local health workers.

Pre-service teacher perceptions of teaching health education online

PurposeThe forced shift to online teaching delivery during COVID-19 suppression measures in 2020 was a complex challenge for Australian teachers. Teachers were given very little time to prepare online content and very little professional development to teach online. Their experiences prompted discussion about the abilities of pre-service teachers (PST) to adapt content to online delivery if another pandemic occurred while they were teaching in the future.Design/methodology/approachPST majoring in Health and Physical Education were required to adapt a 4-weeks high school health education unit for online delivery. This study analysed data from PST personal reflections and focus groups to gain a better understanding of their perceptions about teaching health education online and their confidence to adapt tasks and activities from face-to-face delivery or develop unique online tasks.FindingsPST reported varied confidence and competence to plan for and engage in online health education teaching. PST were concerned about student learning and engagement online, and unsure how to best differentiate activities to ensure all student could meet the intended outcomes.Originality/valueLittle is known about the confidence and competence of PST to deliver fully online school health education. It is important to know more about this phenomenon to inform teacher education and teacher professional development to ensure teachers are better prepared for online delivery in the future.

Adolescent Use and Perceptions of JUUL and Other Pod-Style e-Cigarettes: A Qualitative Study to Inform Prevention.

JUUL, a discrete pod-style e-cigarette, popular among adolescents, delivers high levels of nicotine. Limited research has assessed social and environmental influences that contribute to use of JUUL and other pod-style devices. We examined how these factors, as well as individual characteristics, shape adolescent use. Twenty-nine middle and high school students participated in six focus groups in June 2019 (58.6% female, 65.5% White, 27.6% Hispanic). Groups were stratified by e-cigarette use status and grade to understand perceptions and experiences among groups. Transcripts were coded using thematic analysis for individual, social, and environmental factors contributing to use. Users (n = 13) described their first experience with JUUL as mostly negative, mentioning reactions such as burning in the throat, coughing, wheezing, and headaches. Despite a negative first experience, stress relief and addiction were mentioned as reasons for continued use. Users and non-users identified vaping as a source of disruption to their daily life. Social factors included peer and parental influences, lack of support for quitting, and accessibility. Environmental factors included contrasting messages about long- and short-term health effects of e-cigarettes, as well as a lack of school vaping policy enforcement, health education, medical screenings, and cessation resources. Findings highlight the complex social system that influences adolescent e-cigarette use and have important implications for school and community responses. Strategies to prevent or reduce use may include reviewing existing school tobacco policies, providing counseling and cessation resources, training staff, and increasing knowledge through public education campaigns.

Developing a Departmental Accreditation Model for Primary Healthcare in Iran

Background: Recently, the healthcare systems have turned towards cost-effective services such as primary healthcare (PHC) due to the increasing costs of health services. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a departmental accreditation model for primary healthcare in Iran. Methods: Initially, primary standards were obtained by making use of available scientific documents in service delivery units in the realm of primary healthcare in Iran as well as by obtaining feedback from their specialists. Then, all primary standards were entered into Delphi questionnaire and evaluated on a 9 point Likert scale by 15 - 20 experts based on two criteria of significance and feasibility. Finally, the final standards were specified based on the qualitative points obtained from the experts. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: The final model obtained had 231 standards and 3065 measures in the twelve defined units. The total mean score was 8.38 and 7.65 for the sum of model measures in two criteria of significance and feasibility, respectively. The twelve standard domains were developed for accreditation of service provider units, including specialized realms of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, population and family health, mental-social health and addition, teenage, youth, and school health, disaster management, environmental health, occupational health, oral health, healthy nutrition, health education, and promotion, as well as medication and laboratory. Conclusions: Given that the developed model encompasses all PHC domains, its implementing will result in continuous enhancement in the quality and safety of PHC in Iran.