Children as visionary change agents in Danish school health promotion

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. e18-e27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Tolnov Clausen ◽  
Carina Schmidt ◽  
Jens Aagaard-Hansen ◽  
Helene Christine Reinbach ◽  
Ulla Toft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Social Imagination ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Creative Processes ◽  
Agents Of Change ◽  
Health Related

Summary This paper describes children’s perceptions and visions for a healthier social and physical environment in the setting of a primary school on the Danish island of Bornholm. Guided by an everyday-life perspective and applying participatory action research methods including social imagination and visual techniques within the framework of future creating workshops, the study engaged 50 children aged 6–9 years in creative processes of identifying health-related problem areas and solutions in their school setting. The study observed that the children were very capable of articulating their thoughts, ideas and visions for a better and healthier school environment. Identified problem areas and solutions differed widely and represented a broad perspective of health including social, physical, environmental and emotional aspects. The paper discusses advantages and challenges of involving children in decision-making processes and concludes that children are visionary and creative agents of change in health promotion projects provided that applied participatory methods are appealing to the children.

Children as change agents for family health

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 498-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisette Burrows
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
School Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Family Health ◽  
School Health Promotion ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agents Of Change

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ways in which children and young people are being positioned as change agents for families through school health promotion initiatives in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach The paper maps and describes the kinds of policies and initiatives that directly or indirectly regard children as conduits of healthy eating and exercise messages/practices for families. Drawing on post-structural theoretical frameworks, it explores what these resources suggest in terms of how healthy families should live. Findings Families are positioned as central to school health promotion initiatives in New Zealand, especially in relation to obesity prevention policies and strategies. Children are further positioned as agents of change for families in many of the resources/policies/initiatives reviewed. They are represented as key transmitters and translators of school-based health knowledge and as capable of, and responsible for, helping their families eat well and exercise more. Social implications While recognising children’s agency and capacity to translate health messages is a powerful and welcome message at one level, the author need to consider the implications of requiring children to convey health information, to judge their family practices and, at times, to be expected to change these. This may create anxiety, family division and expect too much of children. Originality/value The paper takes a novel post-structural perspective on a familiar health promotion issue. Given the proliferation of family-focussed health initiatives in New Zealand and elsewhere, this perspective may help us to explore, critique and understand more fully how children are expected to be engaged in these initiatives, and the potentially harmful implications of these expectations.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Jordanian Adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Mohammad Hourani ◽  
Sawsan Mohammad Hammad ◽  
Abeer Shaheen ◽  
Huda Musa Amre
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Adolescence is an unpredictable stage of life with varied and rapid changes. In Jordan, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been examined among diabetic and obese children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the HRQoL of Jordanian healthy adolescents. Three hundred fifty-four male and female adolescents whose ages ranged from 12 to 19 participated in the study. A descriptive comparative design was employed to investigate adolescents’ HRQoL. The results revealed statistically significant differences in physical well-being, psychosocial well-being, and autonomy in favor of male adolescents. In addition, statistically significant differences were observed in favor of nonsmoker adolescents in psychosocial well-being, self-perception, parent relations and home life, financial resources, social relations and peers and school environment. In conclusion, the creation of a school health nurse role in Jordanian schools is crucial for helping adolescents improve their health.

Health Promotion Evaluation and Research in Schools: Issues for Consideration

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nyanda McBride
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
School Health ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
School Settings ◽  
Planning Approach ◽  
Practical Implications

Schools offer an attractive means for health promotion practitioners interested in improving the health of young people and therefore schools play a critical role as a setting for health promotion and public health program implementation. As a consequence schools are also settings in which evaluation and research is undertaken. This paper will discuss some broad issues that the literature suggests are important considerations for evaluation and research undertaken in school settings and discusses some of the practical implications of these considerations. Evaluation of school health promotion requires a balance between systematic, regulated research design and the variable, uncontrolled environment inherent in naturalistic settings. A clear understanding about the nature of the school setting, coupled with an evaluation targeted at the appropriate research phase and incorporating lessons learnt from previous interventions are various issues that need to be considered in well planned evaluations. A planning approach that takes into consideration the evaluation issues raised in this paper will help to ensure that appropriate and useful interventions and evaluations are developed, which also play an important role in contributing to the development of the field as a whole.

scholarly journals Health in the school: perceptions of being adolescent

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ligia Cordeiro Matos Faial ◽  
Rose Mary Costa Rosa Andrade Silva ◽  
Eliane Ramos Pereira ◽  
Cidllan Silveira Gomes Faial
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
School Health Promotion ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Healthy Habits

ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand adolescents’ perceptions on school health. Methods: qualitative and descriptive research grounded on Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, which was developed with 90 adolescent students from a federal school of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Data were produced by gathering answers to the following question: what is your perception on school health? Those who chose to write their answer to the guiding question deposited the manuscripts in polls. Results: school health is linked to hygienist practices and to the hegemonic assistentialist model. Nevertheless, we assigned senses and meanings to the practice of physical activity and health education by integrating and expanding behavioral strategies and healthy habits. Final Considerations: a healthy school environment implies the protagonism of adolescents in school health promotion actions.

Socio-ecological school environments and children’s health and wellbeing outcomes

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 420-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yetunde O. John-Akinola ◽  
Saoirse Nic Gabhainn
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Policy ◽  
Ecological Environment ◽  
School Health Promotion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Health Promoting

Purpose – Attention to improving the school environment is a common activity in school health promotion. The role of the school environment in supporting improved health and wellbeing has a theoretical base, but has rarely been directly investigated empirically. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations between school socio-ecological environment and health and wellbeing outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire data were collected from 231 pupils in nine primary schools: urban and rural; single and mixed gender; disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged; and health promoting schools (HPS) and non-HPS. Questionnaire items included perceptions of the school socio- ecological environment (school perception, class relationships, teacher relationships, school policy and parental participation) and health and wellbeing outcomes. Findings – Reported school perception (OR 1.21, 95 per cent CI 1.12-1.30), class relationships (OR 1.13, 95 per cent CI 1.06-1.21), relationship with teacher (OR 1.20, 95 per cent CI 1.11-1.29), perception of school policy (OR 1.25, 95 per cent CI 1.13-1.37) and parents’ participation in school life (OR 1.32, 95 per cent CI 1.15-1.51) were all significantly associated with health and wellbeing outcomes for all groups of pupils. Very few differences emerged between different school types on the measures of either school socio-ecological environment or measures of health and wellbeing. Originality/value – The socio-ecological environment is clearly related to general health and wellbeing outcomes, which underlines its relevance to school health promotion. The lack of discernable differences between HPS and non-HPS demonstrate the lack of clarity in definitions of the health promoting status of schools.

scholarly journals Teachers' Perception on School Health Services

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Arjun Prasad Poudel
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Health Services ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
School Health Services ◽  
Health And Physical Education ◽  
School Health Programme ◽  
Health Programme

Teaching health and physical education by qualified teachers can support the promotion of health among school children. In Nepal, school health programme has not been run effectively as health and any subject teachers teach physical education subject. On the other hand, government policy makers and school management does not seem serious about this issue. In this context, the study intends to explore perceptions of teachers on students' health promotion through school health services. This study was based on qualitative research design specifically phenomenological approach. Qualitative data were collected from twelve purposefully selected teachers of six different community schools of Kathmandu using in- depth interview technique. The collected data were analyzed by applying thematic approach. The study collected perception of Health and Physical Education (HPE) teachers regarding school health services, health promotive activities, water, sanitation and hygiene that play crucial role to promote healthy behaviour of students. In their perception, school health services should be provided to promote students' health, control the epidemics and communicable diseases and to create healthy school environment. In their perception, child friendly school creates an open-learning environment and keeps students mentally sound, creative and well-motivated in learning. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that teachers' perception on school health programme is fairly satisfactory. However, their health activities are limited within the classroom practices and theoretical notions included in the textbook.Journal of Health Promotion Vol.6 2008, p.5-10

scholarly journals Validation of an instrument to evaluate health promotion at schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Oliveira Pinto ◽  
Marcos Pascoal Pattussi ◽  
Larissa do Prado Fontoura ◽  
Simone Poletto ◽  
Valenca Lemes Grapiglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
School Manager

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To validate an instrument designed to assess health promotion in the school environment. METHODS A questionnaire, based on guidelines from the World Health Organization and in line with the Brazilian school health context, was developed to validate the research instrument. There were 60 items in the instrument that included 40 questions for the school manager and 20 items with direct observations made by the interviewer. The items’ content validation was performed using the Delphi technique, with the instrument being applied in 53 schools from two medium-sized cities in the South region of Brazil. Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and split-half) and validity (principal component analysis) analyses were performed. RESULTS The final instrument remained composed of 28 items, distributed into three dimensions: pedagogical, structural and relational. The resulting components showed good factorial loads (> 0.4) and acceptable reliability (> 0.6) for most items. The pedagogical dimension identifies educational activities regarding drugs and sexuality, violence and prejudice, auto care and peace and quality of life. The structural dimension is comprised of access, sanitary structure, and conservation and equipment. The relational dimension includes relationships within the school and with the community. CONCLUSIONS The proposed instrument presents satisfactory validity and reliability values, which include aspects relevant to promote health in schools. Its use allows the description of the health promotion conditions to which students from each educational institution are exposed. Because this instrument includes items directly observed by the investigator, it should only be used during periods when there are full and regular activities at the school in question.

scholarly journals School health promotion and use of drugs among students in Southern Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Marques Paz ◽  
Vanessa Andina Teixeira ◽  
Raquel Oliveira Pinto ◽  
Cristine Scattolin Andersen ◽  
Larissa Prado Fontoura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
School Health ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Probabilistic Sample

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the health promotion conditions in schools and the consumption of alcohol and other drugs by students. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 3,464 students aged 12 to 17 from all schools of the cities of Lajeado and Sapiranga, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and 53 managers from the same schools; the data was collected in 2012. Reports of the use of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs in 2012 were used as outcomes, and the health promotion score in the school environment was used as the exposure of interest. We submitted the data to multilevel analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of the annual use of tobacco was 9.8% (95%CI 8.8–10.8), alcohol was 46.2% (95%CI 44.5–47.8), and other drugs was 10.9% (95%CI 9.9–12.0). In the crude analysis, only the use of tobacco was associated with less health promoting schools (OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.16–3.09) when compared to those with better conditions. This association lost statistical significance in the adjusted analysis (OR = 1.27, 95%CI 0.74–2.19). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of the school environment on the use of drugs, especially tobacco and alcohol, are manifested mainly by the individual and family conditions of the adolescents.

scholarly journals Educação em saúde: a atuação da enfermagem no ambiente escolar

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marhla Laiane De Brito Assunção ◽  
Camila Tahis Dos Santos Silva ◽  
Christiane Almeida de Macedo Alves ◽  
Mariana Mercês Mesquita Espíndola
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
School Environment ◽  
School Health ◽  
Educational Games ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Nursing Professionals

Objetivo: investigar as principais estratégias de educação em saúde utilizadas no ambiente escolar pelos profissionais de enfermagem. Método: trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, descritivo, tipo revisão integrativa de literatrua, na base de dados LILACS, de janeiro a fevereiro de 2018. Analisaram-se os dados de modo descritivo. Resultados: encontraram-se, a priori, 241 publicações, selecionando-se 39 artigos para leitura na íntegra com base nos critérios de inclusão. Identificaram-se, para amostra final, seis artigos que atenderam à questão principal desta pesquisa. Enfatizou-se a contrução coletiva de significados e aprendizado através da utilização de metodologias como rodas de conversas, oficinas, participação grupal para troca de experiências e o uso de jogo educativo como estratégias descritas nesse trabalho. Conclusão: identificou-se que as principais estratégias utilizadas no ambiente escolar pelos profissionais de enfermagem são voltadas para o trabalho colaborativo sendo o adolescente sujeito ativo e coparticipante no processo de educação em saúde. Traz-se, aqui, uma reflexão sobre a importância desses profissionais no ambiente escolar, principalmente dos enfermeiros, no acompanhamento dos discentes na prevenção e promoção de saúde de forma equitativa e integral. Descritores: Saúde do Adolescente; Promoção da Saúde Escolar; Educação em Saúde; Serviços de Saúde Escolar; Promoção da Saúde; Prevenção Primária. AbstractObjective: to investigate the main health education strategies used in the school environment by nursing professionals. Method: this is a bibliographic, descriptive, integrative literature review type, in the LILACS database, from January to February 2018. Data were analyzed in descriptive analysis. Results: 241 publications were found, a priori, selecting 39 articles to read in full based on the inclusion criteria. For the final sample, six articles were identified that answered the main question of this research. The collective construction of meanings and learning was emphasized through the use of methodologies such as conversation circles, workshops, group participation to exchange experiences and the use of educational games as strategies described in this work. Conclusion: it was identified that the main strategies used in the school environment by nursing professionals are aimed at collaborative work, with the adolescent being an active and co-participant subject in the health education process. Here, a reflection is brought about the importance of these professionals in the school environment, especially nurses, in monitoring students in preventing and promoting health in an equitable and comprehensive manner. Descriptors: Adolescent Health; School Health Promotion; Health Education; School Health Services; Health promotion; Primary Prevention.ResumenObjetivo: investigar las principales estrategias de educación sanitaria utilizadas en el entorno escolar por los profesionales de Enfermería. Método: este es un estudio de tipo de revisión bibliográfica, descriptiva e integradora, en LILACS, entre enero y febrero de 2018. Los datos se analizaron de forma descriptiva. Resultados: se encontraron 241 publicaciones, a priori, seleccionando 39 artículos para leer en su totalidad según los criterios de inclusión. Para la muestra final, se identificaron seis artículos que respondieron a la pregunta principal de esta investigación. Se enfatizó la construcción colectiva de significados y aprendizaje mediante el uso de metodologías como círculos de conversación, talleres, participación grupal para intercambiar experiencias y el uso de juegos educativos como estrategias descritas en este trabajo. Conclusión: se identificó que las principales estrategias utilizadas en el entorno escolar por los profesionales de Enfermería están dirigidas al trabajo colaborativo, siendo el adolescente un sujeto activo y coparticipante en el proceso de educación para la salud. Aquí, se reflexiona sobre la importancia de estos profesionales en el entorno escolar, principalmente de los enfermeros, en el monitoreo de los estudiantes para prevenir y promover la salud de una manera equitativa e integral. Descriptores: Salud del Adolescente; Servicios de Salud Escolar; Educación en Salud; Servicios de Salud Escolar; Promoción de la Salud; Prevención Primaria.

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