ATINER international conference on Health Athens 2006

Department of Applied Sciences of Education Faculty of Behavioural Sciences

Health Education programs in Greek primary schools Enhancing development and implementation of School Health Education Margarita Gerouki margarita.gerouki@helsinki.fi

5th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT AND POLICY JUNE 5-7, 2006, ATHENS, GREECE

Health Education as extra curriculum school activity

 Working on a HE program  Thematic Units: (1) nutrition; (2) cardiovascular diseases/physical exercise; (3) consumers’ education ; (4) road and vehicle /prevention of road accidents; (5) dental hygiene; (6) addictions/mental health; (7) sexuality and relationships education

THE RESEARCH: AIMS AND METHODS  February-March 2005  Primary school HE Coordinators in Greece  Aim: to collect information that illuminates the status of primary school Health Education four years after its original introduction 

to explore factors that facilitate the development and application of Health Education programs in Greece

 Research questions: 

Which is the most popular subject for Health Education interventions? (Is there a significant imbalance in teachers' choices?)



What factors positively affect teachers’ subject selection?



What do teachers need in the form of resources, material, information and the like, in order to be more effective in developing and implementing Health Education programs?



What do Health Education Coordinators need in the form of resources, information, material and the like, in order to become more effective in their duties?

RESULTS Popular thematic units for Health Education activities

Mean value

1. Nutrition

1.52

2. Road and vehicle Education – prevention of road accidents

2.52

3. Dental hygiene

3.24

4. Addictions – mental Health

3.59

5. Consumers’ Education

5.14

6. Cardiovascular diseases - physical exercise

5.31

7. Sexuality and relationships Education (SRE)

6.69

No 1 = most popular to No 7 = least popular

nutrition

SRE

Reasons for choosing a Health Education topic The importance of the subject in the everyday life of pupils

No

“changes� in health habits in the population in general

7

change of health habits in school

3

pupils' health problems

2

existing facilities in the community

1

Educational related features for teaching the subject

No

plenty of educational material, also pre-developed

6

plenty of topics for discussion

6

teachers don't need special training or have received training

5

plenty of references in the textbooks

4

teachers' imminent gratification

1

cooperation with experts

1

Educational factors that facilitate the choice of a thematic unit for HE program development and implementation Enhancing factors for Health Education programs

mean value

25 20

1. Teachers' training

1.48

15

2. Educational material

2.61

10

3. Consultation with experts

3.03

5

4. Time for preparation 5. Familiarization with ICT

3.65 4.23

22

4

3

1

1

0 time for preparation

educational materials

training

ICT

Additional enhancing factors for Health Education programs

consultation w ith experts

No

Funding

10

To be introduced as a curriculum subject and receive more teaching hours

7

Positive attitude from other Educational administrators

4

Motivation for teachers

1

Cooperation with other schools

1

Factors that enhance HE Coordinators’ job Factors that enhance HE Coordinators' job

mean value

Seminars/training

1,48

Funding for programs

1,90

Educational materials

2,60

25 21 20

15

10 7 5

Contacts with EU colleagues ICT

3

3,66 4,42

0

0

0 seminars

ICT

contacts

funding

material

Additionasl factors for making the HE Coordinator's job more effective

No

Secretarial assistance, less bureaucracy, technical equipment

8

Upgrade in the hierarchy of their position as HE Coordinators

5

Cooperation with other schools/colleagues

3

Funding that arrives on time

2

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL POLICY MAKERS

“Equal opportunities – Equal chances” (mandating the subject) Enhance teachers’ choices: - promote all topics (their importance for pupils’ health and well-being) - personal confidence in teaching the subject Teachers’ training issues (also pre-service teachers’ training) The role and status of Health Education Coordinators

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