Knowledge regarding School Health Programs among Teachers of Selected Government Schools, Tanahun

Abstract

Background: Schools play a vital role in promoting the health of children, families, and communities. Teachers are essential for the success of school health programs (SHP), which aim to ensure children’s physical, mental, and social well-being, along with academic success throughout their schooling. This study investigates teachers' knowledge of SHP to promote health and improve the lives of students, teachers, and schools.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, selecting three government schools from 58 through purposive sampling. The study included 155 teachers, teaching classes from nursery to grade 10, chosen through total enumerative sampling. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 16, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Among 155 respondents, most were aged 20–29, predominantly female (65.8%), and nearly half had a bachelor's degree. The majority had 1–5 years of teaching experience, with 87.7% lacking SHP training. Nearly all understood that SHP focuses on health protection, education, and services like emergency care, cleanliness, disease control, and deworming. Teachers recognized the value of clean water and other resources. Health personnel were the main information source, followed by social media and the internet.

Conclusions: While teachers showed good knowledge of SHP, most lacked formal training. The study emphasizes the need for continuous training and support to enhance SHP implementation.