A coalition partnership of vision health through a health-promoting school program for primary school students in Taiwan

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Chun Chang ◽  
Jong-Long Guo ◽  
Li-Ling Liao ◽  
Hsiu-Ying Peng ◽  
Pei-Lin Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
School Children ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
School Program ◽  
School Students ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Health Promoting School ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Impact

Myopia, the most common refractive error, is the most common cause of avoidable visual impairment among children and has reached epidemic proportions among children and young adults in urban areas of East and Southeast Asia that contain populations of Chinese ancestry. Moreover, vision health is an important theme of the health-promoting school program issued by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of pre- and post-intervention proposed by the health-promoting school (HPS) model. The objectives are to understand whether the HPS model influenced the vision screening results and the attitude, knowledge level, and vision care behavior of the students involved. A prospective cohort study design was used to evaluate a vision health program. Four elementary schools, local education authorities, and one university in northern Taiwan established a coalition partnership to design a six-month program to combat myopia among students. The target population was 6668 school children from local elementary schools. For the purpose of this study, the outcome of visual acuity testing (in logMAR) was analyzed with a sampling of 373 school children (aged 11–12 years old) who were chosen from high prevalence of poor vision classes. After the HPS program, the attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge levels of the school children regarding vision health were significantly improved. The pre-intervention mean logMAR of all participating students ( N = 373) was –.10, which increased to –.19 after the intervention. Analysis using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that the logMAR value was significantly improved after the intervention ( t = 2.13, p < 0.05). Our findings highlight the relevance and effectiveness of the coalition’s efforts, which reinforces the usefulness of co-operatively implementing the HPS program.

scholarly journals “We Make Our Community”: Youth Forging Environmental Identities in Urban Landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7736
Author(s):  
Erin Gallay ◽  
Alisa Pykett ◽  
Constance Flanagan
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Youth Of Color ◽  
School Students ◽  
Environmental Leadership ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Insofar as race, class, and gender have profound effects on people’s environmental experiences, and consequently their activism, the environmental field needs more work on the environmental experiences and insights of groups whose voices have been missing, including youth of color who live in urban areas in the U.S. In this paper, we focus on African American and Latinx students engaged in environmental projects in their urban communities and the impact of such projects on promoting pro-environmental leadership, agency, and behavior. We draw from written reflections and focus group interviews of several hundred 4th–12th graders (majority middle- and high-school students) who participated in place-based civic science projects. Thematic analyses of student responses found that students engaged in work on local environmental issues cultivated an appreciation for the natural world and an understanding of human-nature interdependence and the ties between the local environment and their communities’ health. Through taking action with others in their communities, students viewed themselves as contributors to their communities and started to form environmental identities in ways that are not traditionally measured. Findings point to the need for forms of environmental education that are contextually grounded and centered on environmental justice in urban areas.

Suburbanizing Segregation? Changes in Racial/Ethnic Diversity and the Geographic Distribution of Metropolitan School Segregation, 2002–2012

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kori J. Stroub ◽  
Meredith P. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Ethnic Segregation ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Racial Balance

Background While postwar suburban migration established suburbs as relatively affluent, homogeneous white enclaves distinct from the urban core, recent waves of suburbanization and exurbanization have been spurred largely by rapid growth in the nonwhite population. While these increases in suburban racial/ethnic diversity represent a significant evolution of the traditional “chocolate city, vanilla suburbs” dichotomy, scholars have expressed concern that they are worsening racial/ethnic segregation among suburban public school students. Objective In this study, we document shifts in the racial imbalance of suburban schools in terms of several racial/ethnic and geographic dimensions (i.e., multiracial, black–white; between and within suburban districts, among localities). In addition, we extend the urban/suburban dichotomy to provide initial evidence on changes in racial balance in metropolitan exurbs. Finally, we use inferential models to directly examine the impact of changes in racial/ethnic diversity on shifts in racial imbalance. Research Design Using demographic data from the National Center of Education Statistics Common Core of Data on 209 U.S. metropolitan areas, we provide a descriptive analysis of changes in segregation within and between urban, suburban, and exurban localities from 2002 to 2012. We measure segregation using Theil's entropy index, which quantifies racial balance across geographic units. We assess the relationship between demographic change and change in segregation via a series of longitudinal fixed-effects models. Results Longitudinal analyses indicate that increases in racial/ethnic diversity are positively related to change in racial imbalance. However, observed increases in diversity were generally insufficient to produce meaningful increases in segregation. As a result, suburbs and exurbs, like urban areas, experienced little change in segregation, although trends were generally in a negative direction and more localities experienced meaningful declines in segregation than meaningful increases. Findings are less encouraging for suburbs and exurbs than for urban areas and underscore the intractability of black-white racial imbalance and the emerging spatial imbalance of Asians and whites. We also document an important shift in the geographic distribution of segregation, with suburbs now accounting for a plurality of metropolitan segregation. Conclusions Contrary to previous researchers, we do not find evidence that suburban and exurban schools are resegregating, although we fail to document meaningful progress towards racial equity. Moreover, while suburbs are not necessarily resegregating, we find that segregation is suburbanizing, and now accounts for the largest share of segregation of any locality. We conclude with a discussion of recommendations for policy and research.

Health-promoting Vending Machines: Evaluation of a Pediatric Hospital Intervention

2013 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andraea van Hulst ◽  
Tracie A. Barnett ◽  
Véronique Déry ◽  
Geneviève Côté ◽  
Christine Colin
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Readiness To Adopt ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Taking advantage of a natural experiment made possible by the placement of health-promoting vending machines (HPVMs), we evaluated the impact of the intervention on consumers’ attitudes toward and practices with vending machines in a pediatric hospital. Methods: Vending machines offering healthy snacks, meals, and beverages were developed to replace four vending machines offering the usual high-energy, low-nutrition fare. A pre- and post-intervention evaluation design was used; data were collected through exit surveys and six-week follow-up telephone surveys among potential vending machine users before (n=293) and after (n=226) placement of HPVMs. Chi-2 statistics were used to compare pre- and post-intervention participants’ responses. Results: More than 90% of pre- and post-intervention participants were satisfied with their purchase. Post-intervention participants were more likely to state that nutritional content and appropriateness of portion size were elements that influenced their purchase. Overall, post-intervention participants were more likely than pre-intervention participants to perceive as healthy the options offered by the hospital vending machines. Thirty-three percent of post-intervention participants recalled two or more sources of information integrated in the HPVM concept. No differences were found between pre- and postintervention participants’ readiness to adopt healthy diets. Conclusions: While the HPVM project had challenges as well as strengths, vending machines offering healthy snacks are feasible in hospital settings.

scholarly journals The Impact of Short-term Integrated Yoga practice on Psychological wellbeing in special educators of individual with special needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Vijayakumar PS ◽  
Sahana AU ◽  
Anusha Rajanna
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Yoga Practice ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Background: Special educators face unprecedented work conditions and expectations that affect their psychological wellbeing and professional outcome as well. This study examines the growing evidence that even a short-term Integrated yoga practice enhance psychological wellbeing among special educators by reducing their stress, anxiety and depression levels. Materials and Methods: Special educators were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (n=20) age ranging between 25-50 years (Mean35±6.3) for a single group interventional pre-post study design: Integrated yoga module (included postures, breathing practices, relaxation and mediation) was given for a period of 8 weeks. The subjects were assessed on day 1 pre and post intervention on day 60 on perceived stress scale (PSS), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI-II) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After 8 weeks of Integrated yoga practice there was asignificant reduction in anxiety scores (P less than 0.000), depression scores (P less than 0.000) and perceived stress levels (P less than 0.000) respectively compared to baseline by wilcoxon signed rank test. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that even a short-term integrated yoga intervention that can enhance psychological wellbeing of the special educators.

SELF CONFIDENCE AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 56-58
Author(s):  
B. Venkataramana
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
School Students ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In ◽  
Type Of Management

An attempt was made in the present investigation to study the impact of gender and locality and type of management on self condence among high school students. The present study consists of 400 students studying in government and private high schools in rural and urban areas in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh State. The subjects were in the age group of 14-17 years and using purposive random sampling method. Self-condence Inventory developed by Basavanna (1975) was used to collect the data. A 2×2×2 factorial design was employed and ANOVA was used to analyse the data. Findings of the study revealed that gender, type of management and locality have signicant impact on self condence among high school students.

scholarly journals Access to the School Breakfast Program Is Associated with Higher Attendance and Test Scores among Elementary School Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith S Bartfeld ◽  
Lawrence Berger ◽  
Fei Men ◽  
Yiyu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
Reading Scores ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Breakfast Program ◽  
School Breakfast ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe School Breakfast Program (SBP) has grown and evolved substantially since its inception, yet relatively little is known about its impact on school engagement and academic outcomes.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to estimate the impact of the SBP on school attendance and standardized test scores, as well as how impacts differ among student subpopulations and between traditional and nontraditional program models.MethodsThe study uses administrative data from ∼1000 Wisconsin elementary schools during 2009–2014, including almost all public elementary schools in the state except those in Milwaukee Public School District. Over the 5-y period, 168 schools in our sample introduced a new SBP and/or changed the location of breakfast (classroom or cafeteria) or the payment structure. The impact of breakfast availability and type was evaluated using multivariable regression models with school fixed effects and extensive demographic controls, leveraging within-school changes in SBP availability and type.ResultsImplementing the SBP was associated with a 3.5-percentage-point reduction in the percentage of students with low attendance and an increase of 0.08 SD in normalized reading scores among likely-participant boys (P = 0.015), with no impact among girls. When breakfast was offered free to all students, the probability of low attendance was 3.5 percentage points lower than with traditional SBP for a broad cross-section of students (P &lt; 0.001), and math and reading scores were 0.07 and 0.04 SD higher among the higher-income sample, respectively (P = 0.001 and P = 0.035, respectively). When breakfast was offered in the classroom, neither attendance nor reading scores differed relative to cafeteria-based SBP, whereas math scores among likely-participant boys were 0.05 SD lower (P = 0.045).ConclusionsOffering breakfast at school can modestly improve educational engagement and performance, but benefits differ across children and by program structure. Universally free breakfast appears particularly beneficial to both attendance and test scores.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma antibody and stool parasites in public school children, Rolândia, Paraná, Brazil

2002 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilson Giraldi ◽  
Odilon Vidotto ◽  
Italmar Teodorico Navarro ◽  
João Luis Garcia ◽  
Liza Ogawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Public School ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
School Children ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ocular Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Amsler Grid

The occurrence of toxoplasmosis and enteroparasitosis was studied in 434 children from elementary schools in the rural and urban areas of Rolândia, Paraná State, Brazil. Sera and fecal samples from all the students were submitted to IFA for Toxoplasma gondii and coproparasitological tests, respectively. The children were tested by Amsler grid and 72 of them were examined for the presence of lesions compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis. Some variables were tested but none showed increased risk for toxoplasmosis. The distribution according to sex and age and also same other variables are presented and discussed. Correlations between Amsler's grid test, toxoplama RIFI, occurrence of eyes lesions and enteroparasitosis are also considered.

scholarly journals Health Education to Reduce Helminthiasis: Deficits in Diets in Children and Achievement of Students of Elementary Schools at Pontianak, West Kalimantan

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Widyana Lakshmi Puspita ◽  
Khayan Khayan ◽  
Didik Hariyadi ◽  
Taufik Anwar ◽  
Slamet Wardoyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Students ◽  
Learning Achievement ◽  
West Kalimantan ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Worms are still a serious problem for poor and developing countries. Children, especially school-age children, are more at risk of infection. Efforts need to be made to prevent the effects of worms. Prevention can be done through a promotive approach. This observational study with a pre-posttest and cross-sectional approach is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of health education on healthy and helminthic behavior and analyzing the impact of helminthiasis on the deficit in the diet and children’s learning achievement. The number of samples is 60 students from five grade 3 and 4 elementary schools in North Pontianak, West Kalimantan. The sampling technique was carried out by proportional random sampling. Worm infection in elementary school students was 16.7%, anemia was 55%, and learning achievement scores were less than the average grade of 55%. There was a significant difference in health counseling towards a decrease in the worm number (p=0.046). There was a significant relationship between healthy living behavior and helminthiasis (p=0.005). There was a significant relationship between helminthiasis and anemia (p=0.017). There is a relationship between helminthiasis and learning achievement in elementary school children (p=0.017). There is a relationship between anemia and learning achievement (p=0.005). It is necessary for public health centers to provide treatment services for worms and health education about the effects of helminthiasis on health and learning achievement. The school should provide hand washing facilities in schools, and parents should play an active role in improving clean and healthy lifestyle habits at home.

Is an ecological school-based nutrition intervention effective to improve adolescents’ nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in rural areas of China?

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongxu Wang ◽  
Donald Stewart ◽  
Chun Chang
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Ecological Approach ◽  
Control School ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
School Based ◽  
Health Promoting School ◽  
Health Promoting

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of a school-based nutrition intervention using an ecological approach to improve adolescents’ nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in rural China. Methods: A cluster-randomised intervention trial design was employed. Two middle schools were randomly selected and assigned to the school that was conducting a holistic school-based intervention using health-promoting school (HPS) framework, ‘HPS School’, or to the ‘Control School’ in Mi Yun County, Beijing. From each school we randomly selected 65 seventh-grade students to participate in the study. Their nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour were measured by pre- and post-intervention surveys with the same instrument. The nutrition intervention lasted for six months. Results: Adolescents in the intervention school were more likely to know the nutrition knowledge items, with an odds ratio (OR) ranging from 1.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–3.09) to 6.34 (95% CI: 3.83–10.47); more likely to think nutrition is very important to health, developing healthy dietary habits is very important, and that expired foods should be thrown away, with ORs of 3.03 (95% CI: 1.60–5.76), 2.76 (95% CI: 1.66–4.59) and 2.35 (95% CI: 1.33–4.17) respectively, and more likely to consume no soft drinks, desserts or fried food, and to eat vegetables every day of the last week, with ORs of 1.99 (95% CI: 1.31–3.04), 3.96 (95% CI: 2.43–6.46), 3.63 (95% CI: 2.26–5.85), and 2.51 (95% CI: 1.41–4.48) respectively, as compared with those in the control school after interventions. Conclusions: Our intervention using the HPS framework, an ecological approach, was an appropriate model to promote nutrition among adolescents in rural China and its use should be advocated in future school-based nutrition promotion programmes for adolescents.

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