Behrouz Fathi1, Hamid Allahverdipour2, Abdolreza Shaghaghi1, Ahmad Kousha1, Ali Jannati3. 1. Department of Health Education and Promotion, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 14711, Iran. 2. Road Traffic Injury Prevention Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 14711, Iran. 3. Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, 14711, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of student health and school hygiene as an aspect of the infrastructure of community health, few feasibility studies have been conducted on school health programs in developing countries. This study examined possible barriers to and challenges of such programs from the executive perspective in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study used the content analysis approach to recognize barriers to and challenges of health promoting school program from the executive perspective. Fourteen experts were selected in the areas of children and adolescents and school health, physical education and school headmasters. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis method. RESULTS: Five themes were extracted as major barriers and challenges: 1. Intraand inter-sectorial collaboration; 2. Policy and rule formulation; 3. Infrastructure and capacity; 4. Human resources; 5. Community involvement. CONCLUSION: The localized version of the current health promoting school program had major faults. If this program is considered to be a healthcare system priority, it should be revised to set effective policies for implementation and to sustain school health programs based on the capacities and objectives of each country.
BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of student health and school hygiene as an aspect of the infrastructure of community health, few feasibility studies have been conducted on school health programs in developing countries. This study examined possible barriers to and challenges of such programs from the executive perspective in East Azerbaijan Province in Iran. METHODS: This qualitative study used the content analysis approach to recognize barriers to and challenges of health promoting school program from the executive perspective. Fourteen experts were selected in the areas of children and adolescents and school health, physical education and school headmasters. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the content analysis method. RESULTS: Five themes were extracted as major barriers and challenges: 1. Intraand inter-sectorial collaboration; 2. Policy and rule formulation; 3. Infrastructure and capacity; 4. Human resources; 5. Community involvement. CONCLUSION: The localized version of the current health promoting school program had major faults. If this program is considered to be a healthcare system priority, it should be revised to set effective policies for implementation and to sustain school health programs based on the capacities and objectives of each country.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health promoting schools; Iran; Qualitative study; School health
Authors: Zhang Xin-Wei; Liu Li-Qun; Zhang Xue-Hai; Guo Jun-Xiang; Pan Xue-Dong; Carmen Aldinger; Yu Sen-Hai; Jack Jones Journal: Health Promot Int Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 2.483