scholarly journals Health Promotion in One New Zealand Primary School: a Case Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Janet Ruth Pearson

<p>This research investigated the way in which one low decile New Zealand primary school in the greater Wellington region practised health promotion, as defined by the World Health Organisation when specifying a health-promoting School. The focus was to discern how one purposefully selected school with many potential social, economic and cultural risk factors undertook the challenge of improving student health. The lens used was that of an experienced community nurse / nurse educator who had previous school nursing experience. Objectives were: to explore the concept of the ‘health-promoting school’ in a specific New Zealand context; to develop and use appropriate research methods to assess a single low decile school in relation to World Health Organization health-promoting school components and checkpoints; to work with the school community to identify health issues; and, to record external and internal changes that could impact on school health over a finite time period. Case study, guided by Hartrick, Lindsey and Hills Health Promotion Nursing framework was selected as the most appropriate method to collect both quantitative and qualitative evidence with the aim of providing a clear understanding of the particular case. Previous research validated an intrinsic case study approach for an inquiry that involved both the process of learning about a specific case and the product of that learning. Triangulated evidence from multiple sources accumulated from multiple data collection methods was used to answer the checkpoints of components within the health-promoting school framework developed by the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization in 1996. Results confirmed that the school was working appropriately within the scope of their educational practice to provide a health-promoting school environment for the school community. Gaps and issues identified included an element of talking past each other between the cultures of the education organisation and the nominated health service provider respectively that contributed to a lack of appropriate and accessible health service delivery for the school population. Teaching staff considered that they had insufficient access to health knowledge, and input from health service staff did not meet health education requirements for the school. Staff preference for increased school nurse involvement was not realised. The consequence was that two outside agencies (KiwiCan and Life Education Trust) delivered the bulk of the Health and Physical Education curriculum which resulted in a degree of fragmentation of health education for students. The issues that were identified demonstrated that health services in the area were not satisfactorily meeting the needs of the community and were not addressing the health inequities for the predominantly Pacific Island and Maori students and of their families that formed the school community. The conclusion reached was that a full-service school approach should be considered by the school and the local District Health Board as one way to overcome the current lack of access to health services for the school community.Assertions included the potential integration of locally available services by a school-based nurse coordinator supported by health professionals (Nurse Practitioner and Pacific Island Community Health Worker) and social workers. The vision included professionals working within their professional scopes of practice as part of a Primary Health Organisation with the aim of appropriately addressing the health inequities experienced by the school population.</p>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Janet Ruth Pearson

<p>This research investigated the way in which one low decile New Zealand primary school in the greater Wellington region practised health promotion, as defined by the World Health Organisation when specifying a health-promoting School. The focus was to discern how one purposefully selected school with many potential social, economic and cultural risk factors undertook the challenge of improving student health. The lens used was that of an experienced community nurse / nurse educator who had previous school nursing experience. Objectives were: to explore the concept of the ‘health-promoting school’ in a specific New Zealand context; to develop and use appropriate research methods to assess a single low decile school in relation to World Health Organization health-promoting school components and checkpoints; to work with the school community to identify health issues; and, to record external and internal changes that could impact on school health over a finite time period. Case study, guided by Hartrick, Lindsey and Hills Health Promotion Nursing framework was selected as the most appropriate method to collect both quantitative and qualitative evidence with the aim of providing a clear understanding of the particular case. Previous research validated an intrinsic case study approach for an inquiry that involved both the process of learning about a specific case and the product of that learning. Triangulated evidence from multiple sources accumulated from multiple data collection methods was used to answer the checkpoints of components within the health-promoting school framework developed by the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization in 1996. Results confirmed that the school was working appropriately within the scope of their educational practice to provide a health-promoting school environment for the school community. Gaps and issues identified included an element of talking past each other between the cultures of the education organisation and the nominated health service provider respectively that contributed to a lack of appropriate and accessible health service delivery for the school population. Teaching staff considered that they had insufficient access to health knowledge, and input from health service staff did not meet health education requirements for the school. Staff preference for increased school nurse involvement was not realised. The consequence was that two outside agencies (KiwiCan and Life Education Trust) delivered the bulk of the Health and Physical Education curriculum which resulted in a degree of fragmentation of health education for students. The issues that were identified demonstrated that health services in the area were not satisfactorily meeting the needs of the community and were not addressing the health inequities for the predominantly Pacific Island and Maori students and of their families that formed the school community. The conclusion reached was that a full-service school approach should be considered by the school and the local District Health Board as one way to overcome the current lack of access to health services for the school community.Assertions included the potential integration of locally available services by a school-based nurse coordinator supported by health professionals (Nurse Practitioner and Pacific Island Community Health Worker) and social workers. The vision included professionals working within their professional scopes of practice as part of a Primary Health Organisation with the aim of appropriately addressing the health inequities experienced by the school population.</p>


2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 169-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Bamekow Rasmussen

The European Network of Health Promoting Schools (ENHPS) is a practical example of a health promotion activity that has successfully incorporated the energies of three major European agencies in the joint pursuit of their goals in school health promotion. As explained in the editorial, the network had its conceptual origins in the 1980's. However, since 1991 the initiative has been a tripartite activity, launched by the European Commission (EC), the Council of Europe (CE) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/EURO) (Barnekow et al. 1999). Starting with only seven countries, the network has enlarged over the years and now has a membership of 43 countries. This article outlines the criteria and principles developed by the network to establish national HPS programmes in Europe. The coordinators of these programmes throughout Europe, taking the the diversity in culture and setting into consideration, have mapped the different models of HPS programmes in their countries and through the EVA project have developed a series of guidelines to monitor progress. All agree that a key element of success is to work together with the school community, parents and young people themselves as well as with health and education ministries, but their different experiences have also allowed them to identify a number of constraints and challenges.


2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 180-181

In Latin America, comprehensive health promotion programmes and activities are being implemented in the school setting, which take into account the conceptual framework of the Health-Promoting Schools Regional Initiative of the Pan American Health Organization, Regional office of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). These programmes help to strengthen the working relationships between the health and education sectors. The Health-Promoting Schools Regional Initiative, officially launched by PAHO/WHO in 1995, aims to form future generations to have the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary for promoting and caring for their health and that of their family and community, as well as to create and maintain healthy environments and communities. The Initiative focuses on three main components: comprehensive health education, the creation and maintenance of healthy physical and psychosocial environments, and the access to health and nutrition services, mental health, and active life. In 2001, PAHO conducted a survey in 19 Latin American countries to assess the status and trends of Health-Promoting Schools in the Region, for the appropriate regional, subregional, and national planning of pertinent health promotion and health education programmes and activities. The results of this survey provided information about policies and national plans, multisectoral coordination mechanisms for the support of health promotion in the school settings, the formation and participation in national and international networks of Health-Promoting Schools and about the level of dissemination of the strategy. For the successful development of Health-Promoting Schools is essential to involve the society as a whole, in order to mobilise human resources and materials necessary for implementing health promotion in the school settings. Thus, the constitution and consolidation of networks has been a facilitating mechanism for the exchange of ideas, resources and experiences to strengthen the work and commitment of all involved with the strategy. The Latin American and Caribbean Networks of Health-Promoting Schools were created to promote these exchanges and to support the integration of the national networks, to constitute multidirectional channels of communication that are linked and that converge for the improvement of education and health in the school setting. Networks meetings have been held between 1996 and 2004, where the work and topics of priority and interest have been addressed, methodologies have been disseminated, good practices have been shared, and National Commissions and participants have been strengthened. This article synthesises successful examples of countries that reflect health promotion activities in the school settings, as well as the development of Networks. It also notes the future prospects for strengthening the Health-Promoting Schools Regional Initiative.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 98-107
Author(s):  
Ana Karina Fonseca de Carvalho Calderan Correa ◽  
Gabriela Araújo Barros Lima e Silva ◽  
Leonardo Nogueira Tavares ◽  
Ricardo Correa de Araújo Júnior ◽  
Antonio Aparecido Celoria

Orofacial Harmonization (HOF) that has already been recognized as a dental specialty by the Brazilian Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO) through the resolution CFO-198/2019, has been showing considerable advances in health promotion and reestablishment of a complete physical, mental and social well-being of the individual. Also, it makes efforts in an attempt to strengthen and improve the biosafety protocols presented by the World Health Organization (WHO). The undertakings carried out by the government and health authorities are notorious in an attempt to adapt to the new reality presented by this pandemic caused by COVID-19. However, we cannot deny the negligence of these same authorities of not inserting this specialty as part of the essential care for the population, as the HOF is able of providing numerous benefits, as well as the dentist who was left in the gloom in its origin as a health promoting agent. In the present study, updated biosafety protocols will be shown, and also the importance of adding the inherent technologies of HOF and all the knowledge and proficiency of dentistry professionals in an attempt to concretize the real concept of health, benefiting the population that is desolated and terrified in this new post-COVID world.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1167-1178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sugavanesh Periyasamy ◽  
Pushpanjali Krishnappa ◽  
Piddennavar Renuka

Abstract Schools provide a crucial platform for health promotion as the school years are a vital stage in one’s life, where lifelong general and oral health-related behaviours are developed and established. The components of Health Promoting Schools (HPSs) suggested by World Health Organization provide guidance for facilitating health promotion within this setting. This study aimed to assess the adherence to the components of HPSs amongst schools in Bengaluru, India utilizing a comprehensive tool developed for the purpose. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected 61 schools. Data were collected through structured interviews with the head of the schools, direct observation of school premises and verification of records. The significant findings of the study were that 80.3% of the schools had proper ventilation and separate washrooms for boys and girls, 83.6 and 88.5% of the schools had natural light and adequate water supply correspondingly. Only 39.3% of the schools had washrooms that were cleaned daily, and 55.7% of the schools were in proximity to business that sold tobacco products. Oral health education was not integrated into the curriculum in 39.3% of the schools, and 29.5% of the schools had no playgrounds. The study tool appeared to be sensitive in identifying the finer components of HPSs, indicating the lack of strict adherence to the components of HPSs in Bengaluru. This information can be utilized to design appropriate interventions at micro, meso and macro level to strengthen the capacity of schools for the attainment of health promotion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Worku Tadesse ◽  
Kassu Ketema Gurmu ◽  
Selamawit Tesfaye Kebede ◽  
Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam

Abstract Background Evidence exists about synergies among universal health coverage, health security and health promotion. Uniting these three global agendas has brought success to the country’s health sector. This study aimed to document the efforts Ethiopia has made to apply nationally synergistic approaches uniting these three global health agendas. Our study is part of the Lancet Commission on synergies between these global agendas. Methods We employed a case study design to describe the synergistic process in the Ethiopian health system based on a review of national strategies and policy documents, and key informant interviews with current and former policymakers, and academics. We analyzed the “hardware” (using the World Health Organization’s building blocks) and the “software” (ideas, interests, and power relations) of the Ethiopian health system according to the aforementioned three global agendas. Results Fragmentation of health system primarily manifested as inequities in access to health services, low health workforce and limited capacity to implementation guidelines. Donor driven vertical programs, multiple modalities of health financing, and inadequate multisectoral collaborations were also found to be key features of fragmentation. Several approaches were found to be instrumental in fostering synergies within the global health agenda. These included strong political and technical leadership within the government, transparent coordination, and engagement of stakeholders in the process of priority setting and annual resource mapping. Furthermore, harmonization and alignment of the national strategic plan with international commitments, joint financial arrangements with stakeholders and standing partnership platforms facilitated efforts for synergy. Conclusions Ethiopia has implemented multiple approaches to overcome fragmentation. Such synergistic efforts of the primary global health agendas have made significant contributions to the improvement of the country’s health indicators and may promote sustained functionality of the health system.


Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Emma Woolley ◽  
Shirley Wyver

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continuation of breastfeeding for up to two years. Formal child care has an important role in supporting breastfeeding, as many Australian infants commence care before two years of age. Currently, little is known about support or barriers in child care contexts. The present qualitative instrumental case study explores practices which protect, promote and support breastfeeding at a child care centre located in the Australian Capital Territory’s outer suburbs. Extending from a previously published collective case study, a cultural-institutional focus of analysis was used to explore the roles of proximity, flexibility and communication in supporting breastfeeding within a child care centre located close to an infant’s home. Interviews with centre staff and mothers, triangulated with observations of the centre environment and policy documents provide insight into the environment. Affirming the roles of flexibility in routine and staff rostering and two-way communication, findings suggest longer-term benefits may be derived from selecting a child care centre close to an infant’s home, provided mothers can overcome barriers to breastmilk expression in the workplace. The study recognises the role of non-lactating caregivers in the transition to formal child care, and of the support culture for educators who breastfeed. This study extends the knowledge base of breastfeeding support interventions in the child care setting to inform future research and policy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2036-2060 ◽  
Author(s):  
JULIA MENICHETTI ◽  
PIETRO CIPRESSO ◽  
DARIO BUSSOLIN ◽  
GUENDALINA GRAFFIGNA

ABSTRACTIn 2002, the World Health Organization emphasised the concept of active ageing to manage and increase the last third of life. Although many efforts have been made to optimise treatment management, less attention has been paid to health promotion initiatives. To date, few shared guidelines exist that promote an active life in healthy older targets. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review to map health promotion interventions that targeted an active and healthy ageing among older citizens. Articles containing the key term active ageing and seven synonyms were searched for in the electronic databases. Because we were interested in actions aimed to promote healthier lifestyles, we connected the string with the term health. A total of 3,918 titles were retrieved and 20 articles were extracted. Twelve of the 20 studies used group interventions, five interventions targeted the individual level and three interventions targeted the community level. Interventions differed for the health focus of the programmes, which ranged from physical activity interventions to social participation or cognitive functioning. Most of the studies aimed to act on psychological components. The review suggests that different interventions promoted for active ageing are effective in improving specific healthy and active lifestyles; however, no studies were concerned directly with a holistic process of citizen health engagement to improve long-term outcomes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Marchiori Buss ◽  
Claudia Chamas ◽  
Miriam Faid ◽  
Carlos Morel

Abstract: This text main objective is to discuss development and health from the perspective of the influence of global health governance, using as the tracer the dimension of research, development, and innovation policies in health, which relate to both important inputs for the health system, like drugs and medicines, vaccines, diagnostic reagents, and equipment, and innovative concepts and practices for the improvement of health systems and public health. The authors examine the two main macro-processes that influence development and health: the post-2015 Development Agenda and the process under way in the World Health Organization concerning research and development, intellectual property, and access to health inputs. The article concludes, first, that much remains to be done for the Agenda to truly represent a coherent and viable international political pact, and that the two macro-processes related to innovation in health need to be streamlined. But this requires democratization of participation by the main stakeholders - patients and the general population of the poorest countries - since this is the only way to overcome a "zero sum" result in the clash in the current debates among member State representatives.


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