BACKGROUND : One of the wisest investments developing nations can make in their quest for long-term economic and social development is in adolescent health education. Though Government is making its efforts to strengthen adolescents through school health programme, almost 25% of girls and boys do not receive any of the four school-based services (mid-day meal, biannual health checks, biannual deworming, and weekly iron folic acid supplementation) and none met the necessary 60 minutes of outdoor sports and exercise per day as per UNICEF India report, 2019. Closing this gap is crucial to ensure healthful impact on their lifestyles throughout their lives.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of school adoption intervention on health behaviors among the students of grade 8th.
Methods: A theory-based interventional study was conducted among 80 students of grade 8th at a Gov. Zilla Prishad High school, Visakhapatnam. A 2 weeks health education intervention on knowledge, attitude, and practice of health behaviors were conducted by MBBS Interns. Attitudes & practice of students towards healthy behaviours was assessed before and after intervention using a self-administered validated questionnaire.
RESULTS : The post-test responses from the students showed significant (p<0.05) increase in intake of fruits (77%), vegetables (47.5%), milk (58.8%) and egg (66.7%). fast food and soft drink consumption pattern decreased around (80%). Around 50% of them adopted healthy physical activity patterns. Also, The students' attitudes toward obeying to road safety rules, first aid alcohol, tobacco, and sexual hygiene also showed beneficial changes.
CONCLUSION : The MBBS Interns' school adoption intervention enhances students' commitment to healthy behaviours by reinforcing the objectives of school health programme.