School Health Promotion Programs Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and reported practice of primary school teachers on specified school health activities in Danuphyu Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar

Schools are important settings for comprehensive health promotion. School exerts the most influence on the lives of children and youth. Schools can play a key role in supporting students’ health and, by extension, the health of their families and communities. This school-based cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Danuphyu Town-ship from June to November, 2012. This study aimed to identify the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of primary school teachers concerning four school health activities: comprehensive school health education; healthy school environments; prevention and control of communicable diseases; and nutritional promotion and food safety. The sample consisted of 97 teachers from 23 primary schools were randomly selected to participate in the study. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. It was found that 62.9% of teachers achieved a high level of knowledge scores (mean knowledge score of 39.10 with SD 3.087); 57.7% had a positive attitude towards school health activities; 52.6% of teachers achieved high reported practice scores (with mean practice score of 66.07 and SD 4.17); teachers from urban areas, over 50 years of age, and with service duration of 20-24 years, are statistically significantly associated with higher levels of reported practice; teachers with high knowledge and posi-tive attitude scores achieved higher reported practice scores, but these associations are not statistically significant. Overall, over 50% of the teachers had a high knowledge, a positive attitude and high practice scores relating to school health activities, and this shows that favorable conditions exist at the schools among the teachers for further strengthening the school health program of Myanmar. Enhancing teachers' involvement in school health activities would establish good outcomes of the school health promotion program. Provision of continuous training of teach-ers in school health would further enhance knowledge of teachers, and would gradually inculcate positive attitudes among them. This would lead towards more involvement of teachers in school health activities. South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2013; 3(1): 24-29 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v3i1.17707

Evaluation of a health-promoting school program to enhance correct medication use in Taiwan

This study was an evaluation of the Health Promoting School (HPS) program in Taiwan and its effectiveness in enhancing students' knowledge and abilities with regard to correct medication usage. In 2011, baseline and follow-up self-administered online surveys were received from 3520 middle-school and primary students from intervention schools, and 3738 students from comparison primary and secondary schools completed the same survey. The results indicated that after implementing the correct medication use HPS program, students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage (i.e., the need to express clearly personal conditions to physicians, to check information on the medication packages, to take medication correctly and adhere to prescribed medication regimens, not to buy or acquire medication from unlicensed sources, and to consult pharmacists/physicians) were significantly increased among the students in the intervention schools (p < 0.001). In addition, students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage were significantly higher in the intervention schools compared with the comparison schools (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the correct medication use HPS program significantly enhanced students' knowledge and abilities concerning correct medication usage.

Recess Activity and General Health Status among Iranian Elementary Schools' Pupils.

Regular and daily physical activity during childhood and at school is one of the important part of requirements of normal growth, development and well-being. To achieve physical activity promotion among school child aged population recess as outside of class time efforts is scheduled and allows students to engage in physical and social activities. The purpose of the present study was to assess recess activities as well as status of physical activities among a sample of Iranian students at the primary schools. This cross-sectional study was performed in four randomly selected schools from a list of 26 elementary schools in March, 2012 in the city of Shahindej, located in North-west of Iran. Participants were 439 (10-12 years) elementary schools'. Physical activity level by self-reporting, mental health using the parent-completed Child Health Questionnaire, and happiness was assessed using a Persian translated version of the Subjective Happiness Scale. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was applied in two steps using the enter method to analyze data in the SPSS version 17. Backward logistic regression analysis showed that gender of the parent who answered the study questions, father's education, educational grade of children, BMI, physical function, physical health, health status of the children and family function were significantly related to the children's physical activity level. Promoting parents' awareness and schools' staff about importance of physical activities especially in recess times must be an important part of school and community mental health promotion programs.

Overweight, obesity, underweight and stunting in female primary school learners in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Malnutrition substantially impacts the health outcomes of children. Globally, the childhood prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased, while underweight and stunting (though decreasing) continues to pose a major public health challenge. In low- to middle-income countries, a mixed pattern of over- and undernutrition (nutritional transition) can exist in communities. To describe the prevalence of malnutrition among female learners in the Nongoma and Ceza districts in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). We performed a secondary analysis of anthropometric data collected during the 2011 HPV Vaccination Demonstration Project. School health teams, comprising trained nurses, measured the height (in cm) and weight (in kg) of 963 female learners in 31 primary schools. Internationally accepted standardised measures were used as cut-offs for defining overweight, obesity, underweight and stunting. We found evidence of both under- and overnutrition. Overall, 9% of female learners were overweight, 3.8% obese, 4% underweight and 9.2% stunted (using WHO/NCHS criteria). The highest levels of stunting were in the 11 - 12-year age groups, of underweight in the 10-year age group, of overweight and obesity in the 9 - 10-year age groups. Moreover, a proportion of underweight (17.4%), overweight (11.1%) and obese (22.9%) learners were also stunted. Our study describes the prevalence of overweight and obesity, wasting and stunting of female learners in KZN and suggests the presence of a nutritional transition in these rural communities; however, further studies are needed. Our findings emphasise the need for health promotion and education programs in schools.

Pupils’ views on an ICT-based learning environment in health learning

This paper presents a study that examined pupils’ views on an ICT-based learning environment in health learning. The study was a part of the wider European Network of Health Promoting Schools programme (ENHPS; since 2008, Schools for Health in Europe, SHE) in Finland, and particularly its sub-project, From Puijo to the World with Health Lunch, which sought to renew secondary schools’ health education by developing and utilising an ICT-based learning environment. The research data were collected through a structured questionnaire presented to pupils (N = 92) in two secondary schools, one rural and one urban, in Eastern Finland. The results showed that pupils’ opinions about the ICT-based learning environment were fairly positive. Pupils felt that the ICT-based learning environment was easy to use and supported cooperative learning. Computing and Internet skills positively supported pupils’ favourable attitudes towards the ICT-based learning environment. An interesting result from the point of view of e-learning was that the pupils increased their awareness of how to critically evaluate health information found on the Internet.

Why Adolescent Depression Is a Global Health Priority and What We Should Do About It

Why Adolescent Depression Is a Global Health Priority and What We Should Do About It

Correlation between caries experience in Sudanese school children and dietary habits, according to a food frequency questionnaire and a modified 24-hr recall method

World -wide epidemiological studies have found positive correlations between sugar - sweetened snack intake and dental caries in developing countries and the contrary in developed countries . The pattern of sugar -sweetened snack intake and the magnitude of its effect on the prevalence of dental caries differs from one population to another rendering it important to study each situation separately. In Sudan, to the best of our knowledge, the relation between dietary habits and oral health has not been reported previously, with the exception of a single study by Emslie, in 1966. The aims of this study among 12- year -old public and private school attendees in Khartoum w ere to test the hypothesis that the frequency of intake of sugar -sweetened snacks and beverages is associated with caries experience and socio -demographics, using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ ) and Food Behaviour Checklist (FBC) . A school -based survey was conducted among the 12- year -old school children of Khartoum state. Data was collected through face to face interviewer administered questionnaires. Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth (DMFT) index was measured using WHO criteria. No significant association was found between the total frequency of intake of the listed sugar -sweetened items and caries experience ( DMFT &gt;0 n=298) . The 7 food items were inserted in a multiple variable logistic regression model (Nagelkerke 0.026]) alongside the socio -demographic variables with the Higher caries Experience Group as the dependent, and the soft drinks demonstrated a statistically significant association (OR 1.5 95% CI [ 1.0 – 2.4]) . The hypothesis that the frequency of intake of sugar -sweetened snacks or beverages is associated with caries experience and socio -demographics in Khartoum 12- year -old school children is accepted in the higher caries experience group in that the high consumption of soft drinks was found to be a risk indicator for dental caries. School health promotion programs should be established, with the common risk factor approach in mind, thus, addressing the risk factor of poor dietary habits , which is common to many chronic conditions within a wider context .

Health risk behaviors in urban and rural Guatemalan adolescents

Adolescence is an important stage of life when health behaviors and attitudes are established. The purpose of this research was to assess health risk behaviors among Guatemalan students in both an urban and rural school. Items were adapted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey and were used to measure and compare the prevalence of risk behaviors between these two demographically and culturally distant school-based samples. In general, the prevalence of adolescent health risk behaviors in both schools was lower than other Latin American countries. Many health risk behaviors were associated with location (urban vs. rural settings) and/or gender. Tobacco use, alcohol use, and sexual activity were higher among urban students. Boys were more likely than girls to use alcohol, use tobacco, and be sexually active. In addition, the prevalence of mental health problems was higher among girls and rural students. These findings imply that measures should be taken to design effective and appropriate health strategies for adolescents attending these schools. Health promotion programs in schools and communities should assist the youth in developing positive health behaviors and cultivating healthy lifestyles in an effort to reduce risk behaviors among adolescent populations. Further research is needed to extend our understanding of risk factors of health behavior in these adolescent populations and to identify effective preventative approaches and strategies that specifically cater to the location and culture of the students.

중학생의 비만율 변화 및 대사증후군 발생 위험요소와의 상관관계

본 연구는 최근 울산 지역 중학생의 비만율 변화와 대사증후군 발생위험 요소들의 상관관계를 파악하여 학교건강증진사업의 기초자료를 제공하기 위하여 수행되었다. 연구를 위하여 2007년부터 2011년까지 '인구보건복지협회 울산지회'에서 실시한 울산시 관내 중학교 2학년생에 대한 건강검진에 참여한 58,298명의 자료를 수집 분석하였다. 울산지역 중학교 2학년생의 비만율의 변화는 조사 대상 전체와 여학생에 있어서는 2007년부터 2010년까지 줄고 있다가 2011년 다시 증가하였다. 남학생은 2008년에 비만율이 가장 높았고 2010년에 가장 낮았다. 모든 연도에서 남학생에서 여학생보다 과체중과 비만 유병률이 모두 통계적으로 유의하게 높았다. 혈압 항목을 제외한 4개 항목 만으로서의 판정에서 전체 학생의 대사증후군 유병률은 0.58%였으며 저체중군은 0%, 정상군은 0.01%, 과체중군은 0.31%, 비만군에서는 4.53%로 비만도가 증가할수록 대사증후군 유병률은 급격히 증가하였다. 전체 학생 중 대사증후군 진단항목별 유병률은 고중성지방혈증이 36.58%로 가장 높았고 다음이 저HDL 6.47%, 복부비만 3.72%, 고혈당 0.47% 순으로 나타났다. 비만군의 경우 대사증후군 진단항목 모두에 있어 타군에 비해 통계적으로 유의하게 높았다(P<0.05). 본 연구에서 나타난 2007년부터의 비만율의 감소추세를 이어가기 위해서는 학교에서 학생들을 대상으로 보다 다양한 비만예방 프로그램을 개발하여 지속적으로 실시해 나가는 것이 필요하다고 생각된다. 2011년의 비만도 증가에 대한 추가적인 원인 분석이 이루어진다면 보다 체계적인 학교보건정책 수립에 도움이 될 것이다. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental materials for improving school health promotion programs by investigating the relationships between the change in obesity rate and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among middle school students in Ulsan. We analyzed the routine health check-up data in 58,298 2nd-year middle school students in Ulsan, which conducted by the Planned Population Federation of Korea from 2007 to 2011. The overall and girls obesity rates gradually decreased throughout the first four years but increased again in 2011. The boys obesity rates were highest in 2008 and lowest in 2010. Throughout the research years, the incidence rates of over-weight and obesity were statistically significantly higher in boys compared to girls(P<0.05). Prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome, assessed with the modified Cook criteria except high blood pressure, were 0.58%, 0%, 0.01%, 0.31% and 4.53%, respectively in total, low, normal, over-weight, and obese groups. It indicates that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing and directly related to the obesity rate among adolescents. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common component (36.58%) of the metabolic syndrome among the middles school students followed by low HDL cholesterol (6.47%), abdominal obesity (3.72%), and high blood sugar (0.47%). Prevalence of the various components of the metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in the obese group compared to other groups. In this study we observed the decrease in obesity rates between 2007 and 2010, and developing obesity prevention programs is essential in order to maintain the trend. Additional study should be necessary to find the cause of increase of obesity rate in 2011 and so to create more effective school health promotion programmes.

Suicidal expression among school-attending adolescents in a middle-income sub-Saharan country.

We investigated correlates for suicidal expression among adolescents in the Seychelles. Data on 1,432 students (52% females) were derived from the Global School-based Health Survey. Participants were divided into three groups: those with no suicidal behavior (N = 1,199); those with suicide ideation/SI (N = 89); and those reporting SI with a plan to carry out a suicide attempt/SISP (N = 139), each within a 12-month recall period. Using multinomial logistic regression, we examined the strength of associations with social, behavioral and economic indicators while adjusting for covariates. Sixteen percent of school-attending adolescents reported a suicidal expression (10% with a plan/6.2% without). Those reporting SI were younger (relative risk ratio RRR = 0.81; CI = 0.68–0.96), indicated signs of depression (RRR = 1.69; CI = 1.05–2.72) and loneliness (RRR=3.36; CI =1.93–5.84). Tobacco use (RRR = 2.34; CI = 1.32–4.12) and not having close friends (RRR = 3.32; CI = 1.54–7.15) were significantly associated with SI. Those with SISP were more likely to be female (RRR = 0.47; 0.30–0.74), anxious (RRR = 3.04; CI = 1.89–4.88) and lonely (RRR = 1.74; CI = 1.07–2.84). Having no close friends (RRR = 2.98; 1.56–5.69) and using tobacco (RRR = 2.41; 1.48–3.91) were also strongly associated. Having parents who were understanding was protective (RRR = 0.50; CI = 0.31–0.82). Our results suggest that school health promotion programs may benefit from targeting multiple factors associated with suicidal expression. More research, particularly multilevel designs are needed to identify peer and family influences which may modify associations with suicidality.

Facilitating the implementation and efficacy of health-promoting schools via an action-research approach in Taiwan

Taiwan launched its evidence-based health-promoting school (HPS) program via an action-research approach in 2010. The program featured a collaborative partnership between schools, local education authorities and university support networks. This study was focused on examining whether an HPS action-research approach was effective in advancing HPS implementation, perceived HPS impact and perceived HPS efficacy in Taiwan. In 2011, questionnaires were sent to 900 sample schools in Taiwan. A total of 621 schools returned the questionnaire, including 488 primary schools and 133 middle schools. The response rate was 69%. This study compared the difference in HPS implementation status, perceived HPS impact and perceived HPS efficacy between those schools that had implemented action-research HPS (138 schools) and those that had not (483 schools). The univariate analysis results indicated that the HPS implementation levels for components that included school health policies, physical environment, social environment, teaching activities and school-community relations were significantly higher in action-research schools than in non-action-research schools. Teachers in action-research schools reported significantly higher levels of HPS impact and HPS efficacy than non-action-research schools. The multivariate analysis results indicated that after controlling for school level and HPS funding, the HPS action-research approach was significantly positively related to greater levels of HPS implementation, perceived HPS impact and perceived HPS efficacy.

Getting started: assimilatory processes of uptake of mental health promotion and primary prevention programmes in elementary schools

Although there is evidence that multi-systemic mental health promotion and primary prevention programmes can improve children's mental health, lack of widespread dissemination of evidence-based programmes limits their impact on population levels of health. Schools and teachers are frequent collaborators in programme development, evaluation and implementation. However, we know little about the pre-implementation processes that affect adoption (rather than implementation) of evidence-based programmes in new school sites. In this two-wave study, which spanned across one academic school year, qualitative interviews were collected from 20 school staff involved in the initiation of the WITS® Programs (The WITS® acronym stands for Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out and Seek Help.) for the prevention of peer victimization in rural elementary schools. These Program champions and early starters describe iterative processes of personalization that assimilated Program objectives to personal beliefs. They also worked to i...

Low socioeconomic status may increase the risk of central obesity in incoming university students in Taiwan

Obesity is related to social disparity. The objective of the study was to evaluate different indicators of parental SES with the association of central obesity in young adult Taiwanese students. This study was cross-sectionally designed and a total of 4552 subjects were recruited. Each subject completed a self-administrated questionnaire and received anthropometric and laboratory measurements. The indicators of SES in study subjects included parental education, occupation, household incomes, childhood and current index of social position (ISP), measured according to the modified Hollingshead's ISP. Central obesity was defined as waist circumference ≥90 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women. The prevalence of central obesity was 10.7% in this study. When compared to subjects with normal waist circumferences, subjects with central obesity were older, had a higher BMI, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, a higher proportion of male gender, family history of diabetes and hypertension, alcohol consumption habit, and a higher proportion of low current household income, current parental blue collar occupational level, and lower current and childhood parental ISP level. Multivariate analysis showed the current parental household income and ISP were significantly higher indicators of risk of central obesity after adjustment for possible confounding factors. The odds ratios were 1.26 and 1.30, respectively. Our results showed that low household income and current ISP were independently associated with the risk of central obesity. Therefore, young adults with low SES should be an important target group for prevention and management of central obesity in school health promotion programs.

Implementation of school health promotion: consequences for professional assistance

PurposeThis case study aimed to examine the factors influencing the implementation of health promotion (HP) policies and programs in secondary schools and the consequences for professional assistance.Design/methodology/approachGroup interviews were held in two schools that represented the best and worst case of implementation of a health promotion program (“Schoolbeat”) in the Southern Limburg region. Both schools were represented by the school manager, the health care coordinator and their school health promotion (SHP) advisor. The main purpose of the group interview was to describe the organization of HP in the school.FindingsEfforts to improve organizational aspects like change management, collaborative support and project management contributed to the implementation of HP.Practical implicationsBased on these results the authors advise SHP advisors to focus more on the organizational aspects of HP in schools.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the discussion about the tasks of HP professionals assisting secondary schools. Results show that effective assistance in shaping school health promotion requires competencies that go beyond organizing practical HP activities. HP professionals assisting schools need skills covering many aspects of the field, ranging from professional assistance for the process of implementing HP to organizational skills to advise and guide schools on the organizational changes needed for the implementation of HP.

The acceptability, feasibility and impact of a lay health counsellor delivered health promoting schools programme in India: a case study evaluation

BackgroundStudies in resource-limited settings have shown that there are constraints to the use of teachers, peers or health professionals to deliver school health promotion interventions. School health programmes delivered by trained lay health counsellors could offer a cost-effective alternative. This paper presents a case study of a multi-component school health promotion intervention in India that was delivered by lay school health counsellors, who possessed neither formal educational nor health provider qualifications.MethodsThe intervention was based on the WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework, and included health screening camps; an anonymous letter box for student questions and complaints; classroom-based life skills training; and, individual psycho-social and academic counselling for students. The intervention was delivered by a lay school health counsellor who had attained a minimum of a high school education. The counsellor was trained over four weeks and received structured supervision from health professionals working for the implementing NGO. The evaluation design was a mixed methods case study. Quantitative process indicators were collected to assess the extent to which the programme was delivered as planned (feasibility), the uptake of services (acceptability), and the number of students who received corrective health treatment (evidence of impact). Semi-structured interviews were conducted over two years with 108 stakeholders, and were analysed to identify barriers and facilitators for the programme (feasibility), evaluate acceptability, and gather evidence of positive or negative effects of the programme.ResultsFeasibility was established by the high reported coverage of all the targeted activities by the school health counsellor. Acceptability was indicated by a growing number of submissions to the students’ anonymous letter-box; more students self-referring for counselling services over time; and, the perceived need for the programme, as expressed by principals, parents and students. A minority of teachers complained that there was inadequate information sharing about the programme and mentioned reservations about the capacities of the lay health counsellor. Preliminary evidence of the positive effects of the programme included the correction of vision problems detected in health screening camps, and qualitative evidence of changes in health-related knowledge and behaviour of students.ConclusionA task-shifting approach of delegating school health promotion activities to lay school health counsellors rather than education or health professionals shows promise of effectiveness as a scalable model for promoting the health and well being of school based adolescents in resource constrained settings.

Implementation of an ICT‐based learning environment in a nutrition health project

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the views of school staff on a nutrition health project implemented via an ICT‐based learning environment in a secondary school (7th to 9th grades).Design/methodology/approachThe study was a part of the wider European Network for Health Promoting Schools programme (ENHPS; since 2008, Schools for Health in Europe SHE) in Finland, and particularly its sub‐project, From Puijo to the World with Health Lunch, which sought to renew secondary schools' nutrition health education by developing and utilising an ICT‐based learning environment using participatory action research. The data were collected by means of recall interviews conducted with 12 teachers, two school health nurses and two school catering managers after the nutrition health project ended. The data were analysed with qualitative content analysis using Atlas.ti software.FindingsThe findings regarding the views of the school staff – teachers, school health nurses and school catering managers – on the nutrition health project implemented via an ICT‐based learning environment at the end of the three‐year educational development project revealed five main categories: the basis of multidisciplinary education in nutrition health, motivation to lifelong nutrition health learning, school community support of nutrition health activities, operational ICT culture in the nutrition health project and ICT for the nutrition health project process.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of school staff consisted of two secondary schools in Eastern Finland, and the results cannot be generalised widely due to the small, geographically defined sample. However, the results are suggestive for other schools elsewhere in Finland.Originality/valueDevelopment of a nutrition health project via an ICT‐based learning environment as a project involves the entire school staff and all the pupils. It also enables renewing of the nutrition health curriculum. Pupils use ICT in their everyday activities, thus the school staffs have to manage and update their knowledge and skills in ICT and new action environments to promote pupils' nutrition health learning today and in the future.

Making schools healthy among Burmese migrants in Thailand

In Thailand, a health-promoting school (HPS) program is in place nationwide. However, this policy has not covered Burmese migrant schools. Therefore, to ensure the feasibility of the implementation of a HPS program, we conducted evaluations and an intervention on school health in migrant schools in Thailand. We included 44 primary-level schools in the Tak province in 2008. We were able to evaluate the results of the intervention in 43 of 44 schools in the subsequent year. For measurement, we used a comprehensive school-health checklist with five components: 'personal health and life skills', 'healthy school environment', 'health and nutrition services', 'common disease control and prevention', 'school and community partnership'. The checklist contained 59 items; item scores ranged from 0 to 3. We compared the results of the two surveys (performed before and after the intervention) by calculating the mean score of each item. A 1.3-fold increase was seen in the mean of all items measured in the evaluation (from 1.7 to 2.2, n= 43). Out of the five components, the greatest difference was detected in 'school and community partnership', which increased from 1.0 to 2.4. Notably, the mean score of item 4 of component 5, 'clear definition of the roles and responsibilities with the Burmese community', increased from 0.4 to 2.7. Although further study is necessary to investigate the association between our intervention and the improvements among schools, our school health evaluation and intervention were successfully implemented in Burmese migrant schools.

Education in Global Health: Experience in Health-Promoting Schools Provides Trainees with Defined Core Competencies

Introduction. Medical education has defined essential “universal” core competencies. The value of global health education gained through participation in a health-promoting school project was assessed using Canada’s CanMEDS roles and competencies.Methods. The project involved health care trainees in delivery of “Brighter Smiles,” a global health education program addressing children’s oral health in Canada and Uganda based on the WHO health-promoting (HP) school model. Multidisciplinary teams first visit a Canadian First Nations community for an introduction to HP schooling, team building, and experience working in different cultural environments and then have 4–6 weeks of global health project delivery in rural HP schools in Uganda in partnership with local College of Health Sciences trainees/faculty. Learning opportunities afforded were evaluated by conventional questionnaire and pilot categorization against the 7 CanMEDS roles (divided into 126 core competencies).Results. All collaborator and health Advocate competencies and 16/17 of the communicator roles were addressed. Overall, project experience included 88 (70%) of the 126 competencies.Conclusions. This pilot suggests CanMEDS criteria can be used to effectively evaluate trainee participation in HP school program delivery, allowing the comprehensive educational opportunities to acquire global health knowledge and skills reported by conventional evaluation to be formally categorized against defined educational roles and competencies.

The Effect of Participatory School Health Promotion Model on Knowledge and Practices of Rural School Children of Wardha, Maharashtra

Background: Involvements of parents and teachers have a superior role in imparting health education to school children. In the present study, an attempt has been made to find out impact of the “school health promotion program” with involvement of parents, teachers and a health agency on personal hygiene and related morbidities for the first time among the rural schools of Wardha district. Material and methods: The study was undertaken in the three government and two private schools in RHTC, Bhidi, MGIMS. “School Health Education Program” with emphasis on improvement in personal hygiene and health related practices of school children was started. No sampling technique was applied for selection of students as all the students in the age group of 10-15 years were included. In August 2010, the baseline health check-up of 470 children and an end line assessment was carried out after one year in March 2011. The planned health education sessions were conducted once a week in the schools. Data was entered and analysed using Epi Info (version 6.04d) software package. Results: The knowledge among students and practices compared before and after imparting health education sessions using Z test for difference between two proportions revealed significant change. Conclusion: The school health promotion program with the active involvement of school teachers leads to improvement in personal hygiene in school children and reduction in related morbidities.

P-866 - The whole school approach for enhancing childern's mental health in Pakistani schools

Background Whole -school approach is a mental health promotion program in schools, which will provide a framework for mental health promotion in Pakistani schools. Objective To find out Pakistani teacher's perception of whole - school approach to guidance and its practice. Place and Duration of the study Trainings were held at department of Psychiatry, PIMS in collaboration with British council, THET, federal directorate of education and Kings College, London. Tenure of both training workshops was four days each from 6th Apr - 13th Apr 2011. Design & Method This study involving 58 (Male & Female) teachers. Data was collected with the help of Pre and post - tests for the assessment of their knowledge regarding mental health and whole school. Study design is comparative descriptive. Results were then computed by using percentages to compare the knowledge of participants before and after receiving trainings. Results Results revealed an overall mismatch between teachers’ beliefs about a whole-school approach, childhood mental health problems and their perceived school reality and mental health issues. A whole-school approach was not seen as practiced in majority of these schools. Conclusion Whole school approaches encompass how to use school policies, systems and structures to create an environment that promotes mental wellbeing. Reference Butler, H., Bond, L., Glover, S. & Patton, G. 2001, ‘The Gatehouse Project: Mental health promotion incorporating school organizational change and health education’, in Mental Health Promotion and Young People: Concepts and Practice.