scholarly journals Bricolage and the Health Promoting School

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Renwick

Purpose – The propositional knowledge about the Health Promoting School (HPS) and how it privileges the health sector, and research through intervention and behaviour change rather than gaining an understanding of how social bases of health impact and influence individuals and the wider school community. The purpose of this paper is to explore how bricolage offers opportunity for understanding complexity, thick description and inter- and multi-disciplinary work. The experience of health promotion and what it looks like at the school level and provides epistemological considerations for reframing research about HPSs for purposes of social justice and equity through bricolage. Design/methodology/approach – An introduction reveals the challenges of health promotion settings, and schools in particular to achieve social justice and equity. Bricolage is discussed with reference to complexity, thick description and inter- and multi-disciplinary work. Considerations are given to bricolage as research to gain understanding and to contribute to social change. Findings – As a setting the HPS is a complex site of social interaction and where there is interplay of multiple, casual factors that influence health and well-being. The potential for social justice and equity remains latent and new approaches to investigating and researching are required. Bricolage offers substantial possibilities as it recognises the value of researching social contexts but with a deliberate intent to engage with participants. Practical implications – This paper considers how bricolage can re-focus ontological and epistemological positions to engage in health promotion as a social action. Originality/value – This paper raises questions about the ability of the HPS model to deliver on social justice under current compliance regimes.

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwan Akel ◽  
Iqbal Fahs ◽  
Pascale Salameh ◽  
Emmanuelle Godeau

Introduction: The concept of the health promoting school offers a coherent approach to promoting health and well-being within a whole school community. This study sought to evaluate the health programmes and policies adopted by different Lebanese schools, and their appropriateness for this role as part of health promotion. Methods: Our research took the form of a prospective observational study involving 50 schools from different areas of Lebanon. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the Health Assessment Tool for Schools (HATS). Data were analysed to describe school characteristics and to reveal differences in the health topics addressed. Results: Most of the schools included in the study came from Mount Lebanon (56%). Around 70% of the involved schools offered health-related courses in their curricula. Health-related seminars and workshops (60%) and health awareness campaigns took place at the studied schools, with 98% incorporating physical education into the curriculum. Dental health (74%), smoking cessation (72%) and physical activity (68%) were among other most addressed topics, while mental health was the least discussed (20%). The majority (70%) of schools had a shared vision of what promoting health involved and sought to promote the active involvement of community members in the life of the school (60%). Around two-thirds of the schools (66%) provided physical support and facilities, and had developed policies for health promotion. Less than half of these schools’ health committees, however, had developed plans to improve health promotion and review data to ensure the effectiveness of their programmes. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that despite weaknesses, the majority of the sampled schools had either implemented or were in the process of implementing a health promoting school programme to improve health education and students’ well-being.


2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Chesnut ◽  
Jennifer M. DiNallo ◽  
Melina T. Czymoniewicz-Klippel ◽  
Daniel F. Perkins

Purpose Parent-focused interventions (PFIs) are a promising method for supporting parents and promoting children’s well-being. Few PFIs in the USA, however, include physical health promotion content and are universal programs. The purpose of this paper is to describe a universal health-promoting PFI for parents of elementary school-aged children and demonstrate proof of concept. Design/methodology/approach The program emphasizes positive parenting practices, stress management skills and physical health promotion strategies and recommendations, and is part of a larger initiative that includes a continuum of universal, developmentally appropriate, health-promoting PFIs for civilian and military parents. The program was implemented at two community sites in rural Pennsylvania with 20 civilian parents completing pretests and posttests. Study measures assessed parenting, stress and stress management and physical health promotion related outcomes. Findings Parents reported decreases in suboptimal discipline and feeding practices, stress and child internalizing behavior. They also reported increases in their sense of control in managing child behavior, coping socialization, child’s outdoor playtime and health recommendations met. Research limitations/implications While these preliminary findings may not be generalizable, they serve as proof of concept, which suggests that more rigorous research on the program is warranted. Practical implications Implementing a universal, health-promoting PFI within the USA is viable and has the potential to impact multiple short-term outcomes. Originality/value Parents are among their child’s earliest and most influential educators, and this study lends further support to their role as health educators. Given the significant public health benefits of holistically promoting child health, the time has come for universal PFIs to begin including physical health promotion content.


Author(s):  
SB Sokolova

Introduction: Deterioration of students’ health, the absence of scientific substantiation of consistent actions, key directions and indicators of work of comprehensive schools in the sphere of health protection of participants in the educational process determine the purpose of the study to give a rationale for the algorithm and model of creating a common health promoting school environment. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in four directions: 1) study of health promoting activities in modern schools; 2) analysis of indicators of socio-psychological climate of schools; 3) study of the lifestyle, work pressure and schedule, health status and psychological well-being of teachers; and 4) study of foreign instruments for assessing health promotion interventions at schools. The objects of the study included comprehensive schools, schoolchildren, teachers, and foreign instruments for assessing health promotion interventions at schools. The research materials were statistically processed by nonparametric methods using Statistica 13.3 software. Results: Most of the surveyed Russian schools are at the initial stages of developing health promoting frameworks. Based on the expert statistical analysis of health promotion interventions of Russian schools at different levels of development and having different achievements in the field of preventive activities, effective directions and specific indicators for assessing results at each stage of creating a common preventive environment in a comprehensive school were identified and substantiated. Conclusions: An algorithm and a model of a common preventive school environment consisting of seven components have been developed and a system for its monitoring by key indicators, the subjects and objects of which are students, their parents and teachers, has been substantiated. The results of health promoting activities at school include health improvement in schoolchildren and teachers, their emotional well-being, a decreased prevalence of behavioral risk factors, and improvement of knowledge and skills in relation to health and of the academic performance of students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
Andreia de Castro Rodrigues ◽  
Glória Jólluskin ◽  
Isabel Silva

Purpose Developing interventions in challenging contexts should imply proper discussion from its theoretical framework to implementation details. The purpose of this paper is to examine health promotion in prison settings as a mean of improving inmates’ rights concerning physical/emotional well-being, empowering inmates both to reclusion and re-entry challenges. Design/methodology/approach The development of a health promotion program, implemented in a prison setting with an initial group of 11 inmates, is described. The program design followed professionals’ and inmates’ inputs and previous similar interventions taking a peer education, community-based and participative approach. Findings Although some prison settings present major constraints to interventions’ development, the authors were able to perform the program and reinforced the idea that prisons can and should be health-promoting contexts. The authors found several specific needs that must be addressed when people are under custody, if we want imprisonment to be developmental instead of detrimental experiences. Research limitations/implications As a single-year-funded program, its replication and valid evaluation were enabled. Being external to the system also complicated the process agility, and conditioned inmates’ selection and compliance. Practical implications This paper promotes a best-practices forum in this issue; it addresses prison health agents’ training, who may assume an institutional essential role; it concerns inmates’ rehabilitation and ultimately, community health and safety. Originality/value The use of a peer education approach in these contexts is an innovative feature, since it has been developed in other institutional contexts and social groups. Nevertheless, the authors maintain the strong adequacy of this methodology to work with inmates and inside prison settings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Macnab ◽  
R. Mukisa

A challenge for implementing DOHaD-defined health promotion is how to engage the at-risk population. The WHO Health Promoting School (HPS) model has proven success engaging youth and improving health behaviors. Hence, we introduced DOHaD concepts to 151 pupils aged 12–15 years in three HPS programs in rural Uganda, inquired what factors would make DOHaD-related health promotion resonate with them, and discussed how they recommended making learning about DOHaD acceptable to youth. Economic factors were judged the most compelling; with nutrition and responsive care elements next in importance. Suggested approaches included: teach how good health is beneficial, what works and why, and give tools to use to achieve it, and make information positive rather than linked to later harm. Involve youth in making DOHaD learning happen, make being a parent sound interesting, and include issues meaningful to boys. These are the first data from youth charged with addressing their engagement in the DOHaD agenda.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Titaree Phanwichatkul ◽  
Elaine Burns ◽  
Pranee Liamputtong ◽  
Virginia Schmied

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe Burmese migrant women’s perceptions of health and well-being during pregnancy, their health promoting practices and their experiences with the Thai antenatal services.Design/methodology/approachThe study used an ethnographic design. Observations were conducted in two antenatal clinics in southern Thailand. Ten Burmese migrant women and three Burmese interpreters participated in interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe Burmese women wanted to take care of themselves and their baby to the best of their ability. This included following traditional practices and attending the antenatal clinic if able. Negotiating the demands of earning an income, and protecting their unborn baby, sometimes led to unhealthy practices such as consuming energy drinks and herbal tonics to improve performance. Accessing antenatal care was a positive health seeking behaviour noted in this community, however, it was not available to all.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a small ethnographic study conducted in one Province in Thailand and all Burmese participants were legal migrants. Further research is required to understand the needs of pregnant women not able to access maternity services because of their status as an illegal migrant.Practical implicationsCommunity-based health promotion initiatives need to focus on the nutrition of pregnant women who are migrants living in southern Thailand. New models of care may increase migrant women’s use of antenatal services.Originality/valueMost studies of the health of migrant women are conducted in high-income countries. This study demonstrates the difficulties experienced by women migrating from a low to middle-income country.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Woynarowska-Sołdan ◽  
Dorota Danielewicz

The purpose of the study was to present the process and results of developing standards and self-evaluation procedures for health promoting special schools (HPSS) for children with intellectual disabilities. The work was undertaken in order to address the needs of special schools interested in establishing a health promoting school (HPS). We used following methods: 1) Preparation: interviews with principals and teachers at 8 special schools, as well as regional HPS network coordinators, visits to 4 schools; 2) Development of HPSS project standards, self-evaluation procedures and tools: consultations with representatives of 8 schools and with regional coordinators; 3) Pilot study of HPSS the self-evaluation procedure and tools at 8 schools and development of a finalised version: direct observation, document analysis, interviews with selected participants, survey studies of school staff and students’ parents, testing students using one of the following methods: “Draw and write”, “Draw and tell”, conversation or written response. The study included people supporting HPS on a national and regional level, school principals and health promotion coordinators from special schools for students with intellectual disabilities. The pilot study was conducted on a group of 341 teaching staff, 148 non-teaching staff, 468 parents of students, and 435 students. The analysis of the study’s reports and consultations with school principals and health-promotion coordinators from participating schools guided the development of the final version of standards, in addition to the associated model of HPSS and self-evaluation procedure along with a set of tools to measure the accomplishment of the standards. The HPSS standards and self-evaluation procedure were approved by the Ministry of National Education and officially disseminated, with special schools gaining the opportunity to apply for the Health Promoting School National Certificate. The self-evaluation element of HPSS makes it possible to improve the activities of special schools with respect to health promotion while encouraging collaboration and exchange of ideas with regular schools.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Reynoso ◽  
Jay Kandampully ◽  
Xiucheng Fan ◽  
Hanna Paulose

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into indigenous, solution-based business models and their relevance for inclusive service innovation within specific social contexts in emerging economies, with particular emphasis on the role of culture and technology. Design/methodology/approach – A proposed framework illustrates four factors that nurture socially driven service innovation in emerging economies: solution, inclusion, culture, and technology. Extant literature from studies in India, Latin America, and China illustrates distinct indigenous innovations and service relationships that exist at the base of the pyramid (BoP), which provides a foundation for a better understanding of socially inclusive service innovations. Findings – A conceptual model of inclusive service innovation reflects an integrated, virtuous cycle, composed of service relationships that stem from the BoP at various levels of analysis across different income segments. These findings suggest notable research directions. Practical implications – This study reinforces the importance of a solution orientation as a competitive business model to gain customer engagement. Social implications – Researchers and practitioners in emerging and advanced economies can use the approach suggested by this paper in their efforts to build sustainable business cultures and improve the well-being of society. Originality/value – Previous research has not addressed the social or communal roles of service innovation; this study proposes an innovative switch from a traditional strategy of selling services toward a proactive approach that involves low-income customers as active resources to co-create social and business value.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-534
Author(s):  
Darunnee Limtrakul ◽  
Krongporn Ongprasert ◽  
Pisittawoot Ayood ◽  
Ratana Sapbamrer ◽  
Penprapa Siviroj

PurposeChildcare is an essential part of early life environment that has a significant influence on lifelong physical and mental health. This study aimed to examine the relationship between development, growth and frequency of illness in different types of care.Design/methodology/approachThis cross-sectional study recruited 177 children aged 30–36 months and their caregivers. Of these 66 were being cared for at home and 111 were attending out-of-home day-care facilities. An interview form, growth measurement and the Denver Developmental Screening Test II were collected. The association between child developmental, growth and illness variables was analyzed with Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann–Whitney U tests.FindingsThis study found that the development and growth results did not show statistically significant differences between the home-care and day-care groups. The number of minor illnesses was significantly lower in home-care children than in day-care children (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.15-0.72).Research limitations/implicationsThis study indicated that the risk of infection is increased in the children attending day care. Provision of a healthy and safe childcare environment needs to be an essential health promotion strategy to improve family and child well-being.Originality/valueAs the number of women's participation in the labor market has increased rapidly over the past decades, so did the number of children in nonparental care. The study findings reflect that the development of a day-care center for children was unclear, whereas the risk of infection was increased. Therefore, provision of a healthy and safe childcare environment needs to be an essential health promotion strategy to improve family and child well-being.


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