Training of Primary School Teachers in Health and Its Effect on School Health Education
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Date
1994-05
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Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A retrospective-cohort study was carried out in
Northeastern Ethiopia to assess the impact of health
training of primary school teachers on health knowledge
and practice of their students with regard to personal
hygiene and the environmental health conditions of the
schools.
The required information to assess knowledge was
collected using a pretested questionnaire. Observation
formats were developed to assess the hygienic status of
the students and environmental health situations of the
schools. Focus group discussions were conducted with the
trained teachers on how to improve the school heal th
education activities. Data analysis was carried out
using EPI-INFO version 5 and SAS computer statistical
packages.
The results showed improvement in the total mean
knowledge score of teachers who received training
compared to the control groups (F-stat. 3.47, P:0.04).
Though the difference was not statistically significant .
Students of the trained teachers also showed a higher
mean knowledge score compared to both control-l and
control - 2 groups P: <0.001). The Mean hygienic score
of students of the trained teachers was found to be
higher compared to the students in the comparison
groups, (p < 0.001). The environmental health status of~h~ schools with trained teacher~ ~ 2 ~ ~e~~e~ t~a~ ~ h ~
s chools without trained teachers .
The study has demonstrated the positive impact that
training school teachers have in improving the health
knowledge and practice of the school communi ty.
Recommendations are given regarding further training of
school teachers in health along with the improvement of
school sanitary facilities and the inclusion of health
education in primary school curriculum.