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1.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1371684, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38562258

ABSTRACT

Background: One of the most important occupational complications that could occur in nurses is musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, we designed an educational intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to investigate its effects on a group of nurses on preventive behaviors of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: A total of 120 nurses working in Izeh City, Iran, participated in this semi-experimental study. The sampling was performed through a convenient sampling method, and the participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (60 participants for each group). Both groups filled out a questionnaire based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model before and 2 months after the educational program as part of the data collection process. The data were examined using a paired t-test, an independent t-test, and a chi-square test after being entered into SPSS version 24. Results: According to the findings, prior to the intervention, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of their knowledge (p = 0.221), attitude (p = 0.136), enabling factors (p = 0.325), reinforcing factors (p = 0.548), self-efficacy (0.421), and behavior (0.257) levels. However, following the intervention, a substantial rise was witnessed in the experimental group in each of the mentioned variables (p = 0.001). Conclusion: In the current study, education based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model led to the improvement of knowledge, attitude, enabling and reinforcing factors, self-efficacy, and finally preventive behaviors with musculoskeletal disorders in the participants. Considering the importance of the role of health education in promoting behaviors related to musculoskeletal disorders in nurses and the importance of observing related behaviors in preventing long-term complications, the necessity of education in a wider dimension and with different tools is felt more and more in society. Therefore, longer interventions with this aim could be carried out on nurses and other healthcare personnel.


Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Musculoskeletal Diseases , Humans , Health Education/methods , Health Behavior , Educational Status , Musculoskeletal Diseases/prevention & control
4.
Pan Afr Med J ; 47: 40, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38586065

ABSTRACT

The early prevention of non-communicable diseases in Cameroon schools program was initiated in 2018 to address the alarming trend of obesity among adolescents through a nutrition education intervention aimed at increasing knowledge on nutrition and the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity. The program included: school surveys to document eating habits and health-risky behaviors in students, the development of a training curriculum, training and sensitization sessions for school staff, school vendors and students, and advocacy meetings with parliamentarians and mayors. We carried out a quasi-experimental study to assess the effect of the intervention on the student's knowledge and eating behavior three months after the training sessions. We compared the knowledge of a sample of students from five schools that were part of the program (IG) to that of students that were not (CG). The mean (±SD) score was 14.4/20 (±2.1) and 9.7/20 (±2.7) for IG and CG, respectively (p<0.001). Those who scored above 12/20 accounted for 89.8% of IG vs 23.8% of CG (p<0.001). Other significant achievements of this program are the amendment of the National School Hygiene Policy to include compulsory training in food hygiene and nutrition education for school canteen vendors and the integration of nutrition education sensitization sessions into the routine activities of school healthcare. The study showed that a well-structured multi-sectoral nutritional education program could be the bedrock to improve healthy nutrition among adolescents, thereby serving as a vehicle for non-communicable disease prevention.


Subject(s)
Health Education , Malnutrition , Humans , Adolescent , Schools , Nutritional Status , Educational Status , Feeding Behavior
8.
J Public Health Manag Pract ; 30(3): E143-E153, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38603761

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can significantly reduce incidence and mortality; however, screening rates are suboptimal. The lowest rates are among those with no usual source of care and the uninsured. OBJECTIVE: We describe the implementation and evaluation of a community-based CRC screening program from 2012 to 2015 designed to increase screening within a predominantly Hispanic US-Mexico border population. METHODS: The multicomponent, evidence-based program provided in-person, bilingual, culturally tailored health education facilitated by community health workers, no-cost primarily stool-based testing and diagnostic colonoscopy, and navigation. We recruited uninsured individuals due for CRC screening from clinics and community sites. An extensive qualitative and quantitative program process and outcome evaluation was conducted. RESULTS: In total, 20 118 individuals were approached, 8361 were eligible for screening; 74.8% completed screening and 74.6% completed diagnostic testing; 14 cancers were diagnosed. The mean age of participants was 56.8 years, and the majority were Hispanic, female, and of low socioeconomic status. The process evaluation gathered information that enabled effective program implementation and demonstrated effective staff training, compliance with processes, and high patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This program used a population-based approach focusing on uninsured individuals and proved successful at achieving high fecal immunochemical test kit return rates and colonoscopy completion rates. Key factors related to its success included tailoring the intervention to our priority population, strong partnerships with community-based sites and clinics, expertise in clinical CRC screening, and an active community advisory board. This program can serve as a model for similar populations along the border to increase CRC screening rates among the underserved.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms , Early Detection of Cancer , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Health Education , Medically Uninsured , Patient Compliance , Colorectal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Mass Screening
9.
BMC Med Educ ; 24(1): 365, 2024 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38570772

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Introducing students to the "planetary health lenses" perspective is crucial. Comprehensive strategies for teaching this perspective are lacking, especially in the domains of "interconnection within nature (IWN)" and "systems thinking/complexity." There is also a scarcity of studies assessing medical students' opinions on planetary health and evaluating teaching strategies. OBJECTIVE: To understand Brazilian medical students' perceptions and knowledge of planetary health (PH) and evaluate the application of the educational material "Patient and Clinic through the Lens of Planetary Health," which addresses "IWN" and "complexity" through the sociological lens of Actor-Network Theory, in an integrative course at a medical school in Brazil. METHODS: A mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design involving two medical student classes during 2022/2023. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data; pre- and post-intervention closed-ended questions about perceptions related to PH, and an open-ended questionnaire on experience and learning. Each student group presented a portfolio under the planetary health lenses regarding a real patient, developing a network diagram that described the social network involving both human and non-human actors with which this person is interconnected. The cohorts participated in "IWN" activities: a contemplative trail or reflection on belonging to the planet. RESULTS: Ninety-six students and 9 professors participated. The majority of students (66.7%) reported significant or extremely significant learning from the sessions. There was an increase in perception of the need for physicians to incorporate PH into their clinical practice (p = 0.002; r = 0.46) and an intensification of the sense of interconnection with the environment (p = 0.003; r = 0.46). There was a gain in knowledge about how many diseases were related to PH (p < 0.02 for all 13 listed diseases). The majority (83%) found the sessions relevant or highly relevant and commented on their impact, both professionally and personally. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching PH in a medical school allowed students to learn from the patient's perspective, considering psychosocial and environmental determinants, about the intrinsic interdependence between population's health and PH. This strategy made a significant contribution by proposing pioneering didactics and offering valuable insights into the challenges and nuances of teaching PH.


Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Education, Medical , Students, Medical , Humans , Students, Medical/psychology , Planets , Health Education , Attitude , Systems Analysis , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Curriculum
10.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 1029, 2024 Apr 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38609960

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peer education is an approach to health promotion in which community members are supported to promote health-enhancing change among their peers. The study assessed the effect of peer health education on HIV/AIDS knowledge amongst in-school adolescents in secondary schools in Imo State. METHODS: This was an intervention study carried out among 296 and 287 in-school adolescents aged 15 to 19 years attending Akwakuma Girls Secondary School and Federal Government Girls College Owerri Imo State respectively. The study was in three stages: before intervention, intervention, and after intervention. The impact of peer education was evaluated twelve weeks after intervention. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The study utilized a quasi-experimental study design. The chi-square test and McNemar's test were used to test the hypothesis with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The result from the study revealed that the majority (73%) of the respondents at Akwakuma Girls Secondary School (test group) had poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS mode of transmission and prevention at baseline. The overall good knowledge of respondents in the test group improved from 27 to 81% after the intervention. 36% of the respondents in the control group had good knowledge at baseline, the knowledge of 64% of them with poor knowledge at baseline were compared post-test to those in the test group who also had poor knowledge at baseline. The knowledge of only 27.7% of those in the control group increased post-test while the remaining 72.3% still had poor knowledge. The result of the inter-school comparison using Chi-square revealed that the p-value was statistically significant. Intra-school comparison using McNemar's test revealed a statistical significance for all questions in the test group, while none was positively significant in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Peer health education improved the knowledge of the students at Akwakuma Girls Secondary School which was very low at the baseline. The knowledge of the students in the control group with poor knowledge at baseline didn't increase post-study. Peer health education should be strengthened and expanded as one of the tools for behavior change among adolescents. There should be more focus on adolescents for HIV-targeted prevention.


Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Health Promotion , Female , Adolescent , Humans , Nigeria , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Schools , Health Education
11.
Cancer Rep (Hoboken) ; 7(4): e2058, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38600048

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide and a cause of high mortality among people. Pap smear screening is an appropriate method to prevent cervical cancer and reduce its mortality. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of web-based education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on cervical cancer screening behavior in middle-aged women. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study is a quasi-experimental interventional research that was conducted on 240 middle-aged women aged 40-59 years in Isfahan, Iran, in 2022. An online educational intervention based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model was conducted for the intervention group using the Triple-B platform. The information on the intervention and control groups was collected before, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months later using a valid questionnaire. The gathered Data was analyzed using ANOVA and LSD post-hoc, independent samples t test, chi-square, and MANCOVA statistical tests in SPSS 26 software. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and internal cues to action in the intervention group increased and the mean score of perceived barriers decreased (p < .001). The mean score of the external cues to action did not show a significant difference between the intervention and control groups before, immediately, and 2 months after the intervention. Two months after the intervention, 32 women (26.2%) in the intervention group and two women (1.7%) in the control group performed the Pap smear test. CONCLUSION: Web-based educational intervention based on HBM using different strategies such as question and answer, presentation of infographics, lectures, brainstorming, showing videos and numerous educational images can be an effective way for increasing knowledge and cognitive variables of women and doing Pap smear test.


Subject(s)
Health Education , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Middle Aged , Humans , Female , Health Education/methods , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/epidemiology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Early Detection of Cancer , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Belief Model
12.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1249621, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38601501

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aims to explore the association between health information preferences and specific health behaviors and outcomes, such as preventive measures and chronic disease management among college students. It assesses how different levels of health information preference influence individuals' utilization, perception, and self-efficacy within healthcare and health information contexts. Given the rising prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases among younger populations in China, this research seeks to understand how tailored health information preferences can support effective health education and behavioral interventions. The development of the Health Information Preference Questionnaire (HIPQ) aims to bridge the existing gap in tools for assessing health information preferences among Chinese college students, with a focus on collecting validity evidence to confirm the HIPQ's applicability in this group. Methods: The study employed a mixed-methods approach, beginning with an initial item pool derived from a comprehensive review of existing research tools, literature, and expert inputs. An expert review panel conducted item evaluations, leading to item reduction for clarity and relevance. The validation process utilized two independent samples of college students, detailing the sample size (n = 446 for preliminary testing, n = 1,593 for validation) and characteristics (age, major, urban vs. rural background) to enhance the understanding of the study's generalizability. Results: The HIPQ, comprising 25 items across five dimensions-prevention-oriented approaches, relationship with healthcare providers, self-efficacy in obtaining health information, perception of the importance of health information, and health information behavior-demonstrated excellent content validity (ICVI ranged from 0.72 to 0.86). Factor analysis confirmed significant loadings for each item across the anticipated factors, with fit indices (RMSEA = 0.065, CFI = 0.942) supporting good model fit. The HIPQ's reliability was underscored by Cronbach's alpha coefficients (>0.8) for each subscale, with significant correlations across all subscales, indicating strong internal consistency and construct validity. Conclusion: The HIPQ proves to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing health information preferences among Chinese college students, highlighting its potential for broader application in health education and intervention strategies. Recognizing the study's focus on a specific demographic, future research should investigate the HIPQ's adaptability and utility in broader populations and different cultural settings. The study's limitations, including its concentrated demographic and context, invite further exploration into the HIPQ's applicability across diverse groups. Additionally, potential future research directions could include longitudinal studies to assess the impact of tailored health information on actual health outcomes and behaviors.


Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Students , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Education
13.
BMJ Open ; 14(4): e078647, 2024 Apr 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38604627

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To map the current use of paper-based and/or screen-based media for health education aimed at older people. DESIGN: A scoping review was reported following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Scoping Reviews checklist. DATA SOURCES: The search was carried out in seven databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, ACM Guide to Computing Literature, PsycINFO), with studies available from 2012 to the date of the search in 2022, in English, Portuguese, Italian or Spanish. In addition, Google Scholar was searched to check the grey literature. The terms used in the search strategy were older adults, health education, paper and screen-based media, preferences, intervention and other related terms. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies included were those that carried out health education interventions for older individuals using paper and/or screen-based media and that described barriers and/or facilitators to using these media. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The selection of studies was carried out by two reviewers. A data extraction form was developed with the aim of extracting and recording the main information from the studies. Data were analysed descriptively using Bardin's content analysis. RESULTS: The review included 21 studies that carried out health education interventions with different purposes, the main ones being promotion of physical activity, hypertension prevention and psychological health. All 21 interventions involved screen-based media on computers, tablets, smartphones and laptops, while only 4 involved paper-based media such as booklets, brochures, diaries, flyers and drawings. This appears to reflect a transition from paper to screen-based media for health education for the older population, in research if not in practice. However, analysis of facilitators and barriers to using both media revealed 10 design factors that could improve or reduce their use, and complementarity in their application to each media type. For example, screen-based media could have multimedia content, additional functionality and interactivity through good interaction design, but have low accessibility and require additional learning due to complex interface design. Conversely, paper-based media had static content and low functionality but high accessibility and availability and a low learning cost. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend having improved screen-based media design, continued use of paper-based media and the possible combination of both media through the new augmented paper technology. REGISTRATION NUMBER: Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/GKEAH).


Subject(s)
Checklist , Health Education , Humans , Aged , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Databases, Factual , Ethnicity
14.
S Afr Fam Pract (2004) ; 66(1): e1-e12, 2024 Mar 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38572876

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes reduction among older people aged more than 50 years living with HIV (PLWH) are pertinent as they face excess risks amid a growing population of ageing PLWH. AIM: To describe interventions for Type 2 Diabetes reduction among older people living with HIV in Harare Urban DistrictSetting: The study was conducted in a low socio-economic setting from five primary health care clinics in Harare urban District. METHODS: A qualitative multi-method approach was applied using an exploratory descriptive design and an integrative review literature. The exploratory descriptive study collected data from two purposively selected samples; (1) older PLWH and (2) nurses. Whittemore and Knafl's framework was used for the integrative literature review with articles from 2013 to 2023 selected. Data source triangulation was applied using Braun and Clark's content analysis framework. Ethical approval was obtained (14056739_CREC_CHS_2022). RESULTS: 23 older PLWH with mean age, 62 years, 9 nurses with an average of 6 years' experience and 12 articles comprised the three data sources.  Key themes that emerged were that, screening should include; assessment from a younger age; assessment of HIV and ART-specific risks; diagnostic testing of Type 2 diabetes tests at ART initiation and routinely. Health education should provide information on adequate physical activity parameters and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Metformin may be considered as a pharmacological intervention where lifestyle interventions fail. CONCLUSION: The proposed interventions suggest measures to reduce Type 2 Diabetes and mitigate excess risks faced by older PLWH.Contribution: Improved screening, health education and pharmacological interventions for older PLWH in primary health care settings enable Type 2 Diabetes reduction.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , HIV Infections , Humans , Aged , Middle Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Zimbabwe , Life Style , Health Education
15.
J Health Popul Nutr ; 43(1): 49, 2024 Apr 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38580998

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reducing malnutrition is a key priority for governments in low- and middle-income countries given its lasting effects on child development, health, income, and economic growth. Strategies to improve recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, especially during the first two years of life, are considered among the most effective. METHODS: In this paper, we evaluate the long-run impacts of an innovative education strategy based on interactive play and performing arts implemented in El Alto, Bolivia on caregivers' IYCF knowledge and practices. Two thousand and fifteen households were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Two rounds of data were collected approximately 30 and 42 months after baseline. We estimate short-term (30 month) and longer-term (42 month) intent-to-treat effects using multivariate linear regression analysis, with and without controlling for covariates. RESULTS: The program significantly increased caregiver IYCF knowledge by 0.13 SDs in the short run, and this effect grew over time. The program also improved adherence to recommended IYCF practices by 0.23 standard deviations (SDs) in the short term, but the effect on practices dissipated over time, and no longer-term impacts were detected. Caregivers with above median baseline knowledge, number of children, and age appear to have benefited most from the program. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that entertainment-education interventions are a promising model for improving and maintaining IYCF knowledge. However, their ability to sustain more permanent changes in IYCF practices is less certain. Further evidence is needed to identify other avenues for producing long-term, sustainable behavior change, especially among indigenous populations in Latin America, where literature on education and behavior-change interventions related to IYCF practices is limited.


Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Infant , Child , Humans , Female , Health Education , Child Development , Family Characteristics , Breast Feeding , Diet
16.
BMC Med Educ ; 24(1): 389, 2024 Apr 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38594699

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Strengthening obstetric nurses' and midwives' health education competence is the investment and guarantee for the population's future health. The purpose of study is to establish national norms for their health education competence, and explore possible influencing factors for providing an uniform criterion identifying levels and weaknesses. METHODS: An online questionnaire with a standard process was used to collect data. Three normative models were constructed, and multiple linear regression analysis analyzed possible influencing factors. RESULTS: The sample respondents (n = 3027) represented obstetric nurses and midwives nationally. Three health education competency normative norms (mean, percentile and demarcation norm) were constructed separately. Locations, hospital grade, department, marital status, training times and satisfaction with health education training influenced obstetrical nurses' and midwives' health education competence (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study constructed the first national standard for assessing obstetric nurses' and midwives' health education competence, providing a scientific reference to evaluate the degree of health education competence directly. These known factors could help clinical and policy managers designate practice improvement measures. In future research, Grade I hospitals should be studied with larger sample sizes, and indicators need to improve to reflect health education's effect better.


Subject(s)
Midwifery , Nurses , Female , Pregnancy , Humans , Midwifery/education , Cross-Sectional Studies , Obstetric Nursing , Health Education , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
J Nutr Sci ; 13: e15, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38572369

ABSTRACT

Lack of nutrition knowledge and poor dietary practices have profound adverse implications on nutritional status particularly among displaced children. Evidence of the effectiveness of nutrition education interventions in improving the nutritional status of internally displaced schoolchildren in Cameroon is scarce. The study objective was to assess the effects of nutrition education on the nutritional status of internally displaced schoolchildren in the West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. A pre-test-post-test randomised experimental study design was used with an experimental and control group of 160 children from ten primary schools and their caregivers. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical signs of malnutrition, dietary, and health status of the children were evaluated, and the caregiver's nutrition knowledge was assessed in both groups at baseline and end-line with the aid of standard anthropometric and biochemical equipment and recorded in pretested questionnaires. Nutrition education was carried out only with the caregivers of children in the test group. In the test group, significant beneficial outcomes were noticed only for Bitot's spot (p = 0.047), pallor (0.025), frequency of consumption of fruits (p = 0.002) and vegetables (p = 0.036), caregiver's nutrition knowledge (p = 0.000), all health-seeking practices of the children (p < 0.05) except immunisation (p = 0.957). No significant change was seen in any of the parameters studied among the participants in the control group. Nutrition education alone was not effective in improving the nutritional status of the children and should be implemented together with other food-based nutrition interventions to improve the nutritional status of internally displaced schoolchildren in the West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon.


Subject(s)
Malnutrition , Nutritional Status , Child , Humans , Cameroon , Diet , Health Education
18.
Nutrients ; 16(7)2024 Mar 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38612994

ABSTRACT

It is well known that dietary choices impact both individual and global health. However, there are numerous challenges at the personal and systemic level to fostering sustainable healthy eating patterns. There is a need for innovative ways to navigate these barriers. Food as Medicine (FM) and Culinary Medicine (CM) are approaches to helping individuals achieve healthier diets that also recognize the potential to alleviate the burden of chronic diseases through healthy eating. Teaching kitchens, which offer an interactive environment for learning nutrition and cooking skills, are valuable educational tools for FM and CM interventions. Motivational interviewing (MI), a type of person-centered counseling, facilitates behavior change and may enhance FM and CM programs involving teaching kitchens. In this commentary, we share our experience with using MI in a community-based CM program at a teaching kitchen. In demonstrating our application of MI principles, we hope to offer an additional strategy for improving dietary quality and delivering nutrition education.


Subject(s)
Diet, Healthy , Motivational Interviewing , Humans , Health Education , Food , Communication
19.
Soins ; 69(884): 38-41, 2024 Apr.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38614518

ABSTRACT

Undernutrition (UD) increases perioperative morbidity and mortality. Its prevention and treatment are therefore essential in surgical prehabilitation and rehabilitation programs. Nutritional treatment is individualized according to the patient's nutritional status, ingesta and protein-energy requirements. Oral nutrition is optimized to increase intakes through personalized dietary advice and oral nutritional supplements. Artificial nutrition support is indicated in cases of UD or high risk of UD before major surgery. Enteral nutrition is preferred to parenteral nutrition when the digestive tract is functional.


Subject(s)
Malnutrition , Preoperative Exercise , Humans , Patients , Health Education , Malnutrition/prevention & control
20.
Lancet Planet Health ; 8 Suppl 1: S7, 2024 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38632922

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Education has a pivotal role in preparing society to address the forthcoming health impacts of the climate crisis. Education provides the tools necessary to instil both individual and collective attitudes for mitigating climate change, fosters the development of adaptive skills and mindsets, and promotes a critical understanding of climate change. The aim of the PERSIST project was to assess the effectiveness of a school educational intervention to strengthen literacy on the climate crisis, pro-environmental behaviours, and systems thinking in high school students (aged 14-18 years). METHODS: Three meetings were carried out in a scientific high school in the suburbs of Rome (Italy) between March 21, and April 12, 2023, using complex systems models, group activities, and collective discussions. Pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires were administered to students to record knowledge, climate-related emotions, and pro-environmental behaviours. Questionnaires that were complete were considered valid. The anonymously collected data were processed using descriptive statistics and t test. FINDINGS: A total of 273 students in ten different classes attending between grades 1 and 4 took part in the project. 78 (36%) participants were female, 133 (62%) were male, and four (2%) did not disclose their gender. The mean age was 15 years. We received 211 pairs of valid pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires. The preliminary analysis showed an average increase of 19% in correct responses to knowledge questions, a 21·2% increase in pro-environmental behaviours, and no discernible differences in climate-related emotions between pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires. INTERPRETATION: An interactive approach and the use of complex systems might improve students' literacy and attitudes towards the climate crisis, without increasing negative ecological emotions. This pilot project can guide similar, repeatable programmes in other schools and countries and it represents the first measure of climate-related emotions after school intervention. FUNDING: None.


Subject(s)
Literacy , Schools , Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Pilot Projects , Health Education/methods , Systems Analysis
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