Evaluating The Effectiveness Of School-Based Health Programs In Promoting Pediatric Health And Well-Being

Abstract

Background: Health programmes in schools are nowadays becoming known as an effective means of improving health and well-being of the pediatric population through the incorporation of preventive health, health education and early intervention in the school environment. Objective: This research determines the effectiveness of school-based health programs on physical, behavioral and emotional health outcomes of children. Methodology: It was a quantitative cross-sectional study design on the population of 200 school-ed aged children (614 years old) of selected schools. The data were gathered in terms of structured questionnaire, health record and standardized well-being scales. Using SPSS, statistical analysis (correlation and regression) was conducted. Findings: Findings show that school-based health participation yielded better physical health outcomes, less prevalence of illnesses by 22% and improved emotional well-being results by 30%. Health awareness and behavioral behavior among children also showed improvements significantly. Also, it was found that there was a strong positive correlation between program participation and overall health outcomes (r = 0.69, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Health programs that run in schools can be very instrumental in enhancing the health and well-being of the children. Child health outcomes can be strengthened by increasing program implementation and access, which also increase in the long term.