Positive self-reported health might be an important determinant of student's experiences of high school in northern Sweden

In search of factors related to migration affecting children's health - an analysis of documents guiding health visits within the Swedish school health services

BACKGROUND

Migration affects the health of children worldwide. Therefore, school nurses who encounter these children as part of their everyday practice need support from guidelines on how to promote the health of children who have migrated or whose parents have migrated. Yet knowledge regarding such content in guidelines of school nursing practice is sparse. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how municipal and regional guidelines and health questionnaires used in health visits in the Swedish school health services include factors related to migration that affect children's health.

METHODS

A document analysis of municipal and regional guidelines and health questionnaires guiding school nurses' practice in health visits was conducted during the autumn of 2020. In total, 687 guidelines and health questionnaires were analyzed using deductive content analysis.

RESULTS

The results show that municipal and regional guidelines and health questionnaires used in health visits in the Swedish school health services include content on many factors related to migration that affect children's health. Yet the content was limited, and none was found on factors related to discrimination based on ethnicity or origin.

CONCLUSION

Guidance related to promoting the health of children who have migrated or whose parents have migrated should include all factors affecting these children's health. Therefore, to strengthen school nurses' evidence-based practice, guideline development might be needed, although guidelines and health questionnaires exist and include content on many factors related to migration affecting the health of children in order to provide equitable healthcare for all children, regardless of country of origin.

The Impact of Health-promoting Technologies on University Students’ Physical Development

Aim: To investigate the impact of training sessions on the ground of health-promoting technologies upon students’ physical development in higher educational institutions. Materials and Methods: A group of 50 female students aged 17 to 22 was under our observation for a year. All of them were divided into the experimental (E) and the control (C) groups. The E group female students (n=25) were regularly involved in training sessions using health-promoting technologies, the C group female students (n=25) did not take part in this type of activities. Results: The positive impact of training sessions based on health-promoting technologies upon the physical development of the E group students was revealed. A significantly better level of strength and flexibility development was noted in the E group students, compared to the C one. A statistically significant difference was found after the experiment in the E group students’ indicators of static balance, vestibular stability, accuracy of assessment of strength, time and spatial parameters of movements. Conclusions: A rationally constructed system of training sessions based on health-promoting technologies stimulates biological processes, supports the functioning of both individual organs and the students’ body as a whole. This will contribute to strengthening students’ health, increasing their motor activities, improving the efficiency of both learning and future professional activities.

"When I feel well all over, I study and learn better" - experiences of good conditions for health and learning in schools in the Arctic region of Sweden

A challenge facing the Arctic region is the disengagement of both education and work among its youth. Only by supporting young people who are struggling with mental and physical health challenges can we begin to address this societal challenge. Education, mental health and social inclusion are prominent factors for future employment, income and independent living for young people. The aim of this study was to describe and understand the experiences of good conditions for health and learning in schools in the Arctic region. The 5-D appreciative inquiry method was used to explore 47 students’ and professionals’ experiences and future visions of their school. A phenomenological analysis resulted in three themes: “Standing as one”, “Having an apple a day”, and “Finding the end of the rainbow”. The findings revealed the necessity of promoting health and learning simultaneously in school and viewing health holistically. Health-promoting relationships permeate the findings of good conditions for health and learning. We argue for considering mandatory health education to increase students’ health literacy and making student participation and staff collaboration a priority in schools in the Arctic region. These findings, their practical implications, and future research directions are discussed.