Health promotion in secondary schools: participatory process for constructing a self-assessment tool

Digital applications as a means for promotion of healthy behaviours among Albanian children

Digital applications can be effective tools for strengthening school-based health education programs as they can provide valuable health information to children through interactive videos, quizzes and games. We aimed at assessing the change in the prevalence of healthy behaviours among children exposed to digital applications (intervention) employed for promoting healthy behaviours. We conducted a cross-sectional study before the intervention in March 2022 including a representative sample of 1500 Albanian schoolchildren (≈54% girls) aged 12-15 years. In June 2022, after 4-month exposure to digital applications aimed at promoting healthy behaviours (intervention), we carried out a second cross-sectional study in the same sample of schoolchildren. In both survey rounds, an anonymous and structured self-administered questionnaire inquired children about a range of behavioural practices including nutrition, oral health, physical activity and hygiene practices. After the intervention, overall, there was evidence of a significant increase in the prevalence of all healthy behavioural practices measured: ~9% for breakfast consumption and/or environmental protection, 12% for toothbrushing, 14% for handwashing, 15% for leisure time physical exercise and 24% for adequate fruit and vegetable intake (all p < 0.001). Engagement in healthy behaviours only after the intervention was higher among rural children (from 18% for breakfast consumption to 37% for handwashing and/or adequate fruit and vegetable intake) and especially those pertinent to Roma/Egyptian communities (from 18% for breakfast consumption to 46% for adequate fruit and vegetable intake), except for engagement in safe environmental protection which was more prevalent among urban residents (28% vs. 15% among rural children) and ethnic Albanian children (24% vs. 13% among Roma/Egyptian children). Our findings from Albania indicate that digital applications can be useful for strengthening school-based health promotion programs.

Evaluation of the Health Promoting Schools (CEPS) Program in the Balearic Islands, Spain

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the structure, process, and results obtained by the CEPS Program.

METHODS

We combined quantitative and qualitative methods. We reviewed our databases, the health projects and reports sent by the schools, and the notes taken during the assessment visits to the schools. We included all the schools participating in the CEPS Program between 2014-2015 and 2018-2019 for structure purposes, but only those participating for at least two years for the process and results. We used a descriptive analysis as well as a content analysis.

RESULTS

84 schools participated in the CEPS Program. Attrition (24%) occurred mainly after the first year. Most schools performed at least one situation analysis (88.1%) and had at least one teacher trained (73.8%). One of three obtained a certificate (35.7%) or grant (38.1%). For the process and results, we selected 44 schools. Teachers' participation stood out (61.4% transformative and 38% representative) over the participation of other agents. The coordination of the health committee with other committees and with other local resources was a crucial element. Of the schools, 40.9% had high quality projects, 50% medium, and 9.1% low. Of the schools, 40.9% showed positive health results.

CONCLUSION

We identified the characteristics of high-quality health-promoting schools.