Shu-Mei Wang

Study on Student Health Literacy Gained through Health Education in Elementary and Middle Schools in China.

Background: Health education in primary and middle schools in China has been implemented for more than two decades since 1990s. This study aims to assess the students’ health literacy gained through school health education, and provide scientific base to the concerned government agencies for updating the relevant national policy for school-based health education. Methods: The study was conducted through cross-sectional multi-stage cluster-stratified sampling survey in 77 elementary and 76 middle schools in 24 project provinces and two municipal cities in China. A self-administered questionnaire was developed. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown coefficient. A descriptive analysis was used to summarize the outcome. Results: The survey covered 8,008 subjects (4,011 from elementary and 3,997 from middle schools). The correct answer given on the majority of health knowledge was higher than 60% among the surveyed subjects. However, it was found that there were differences on student knowledge and practices from regions and economic levels; and the healthy personal behaviours between elementary and middle school students varied. Positive correlations between knowledge and practices, knowledge and attitudes were observed among subjects. Conclusions: Health literacy of the primary and middle school children in China was found to be limited and unbalanced. Thus school-based health education should be enhanced and the national guidelines for school health education and curriculum framework should be updated.

Safe Communities in China as a strategy for injury prevention and safety promotion programmes in the era of rapid economic growth

Due to its rapid economic development, China is facing a huge health, social, and economic burden resulting from injuries. The study’s objective was to examine Safe Communities in China as a strategy for injury prevention and safety promotion programmes in the era of rapid economic growth. Literature searches in English and Chinese, which included grey literature, were performed on the Chinese Journal Full-text Search System and Medline, using the words “Safe Community”, “injury”, “economics”, and “prevention”. The results showed that the existing 35 recognized members of the International Safe Community Network have not placed due emphasis on suicide prevention, which is one of the leading problems in both rural and urban China. A few groups, such as children, the elderly, cyclists, and pedestrians, have received due emphasis, while other vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers, motorcyclists, students, players, and farmers have not received the necessary attention from the Safe Community perspective. As the evidence describes, Safe Communities in China can be a very effective strategy for injury prevention, but four aspects need to be strengthened in the future: (1) establish and strengthen the policy and regulations in terms of injury prevention at the national level; (2) create a system to involve professional organizations and personnel in projects; (3) consider the economic development status of different parts of China; and (4) intentional injury prevention should receive greater attention.

The KAP evaluation of intervention on fall-induced injuries among elders in a safe community in Shanghai, China.

Background To evaluate the effect of an intervention on fall induced injuries of elderly people in a safe-community in Shanghai and to discuss an intervention model that is proper for the community to generalize. Methodology/Principal Findings Five neighborhood areas in a Safe Community were purposively selected. All individuals aged 60 years or over in five neighborhoods were prospective participants. From randomly selected prospective households with elders, 2,889 (pre intervention) and 3,021 (post intervention) elderly people were included in the study. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Model (KAP) questionnaires were used at the pre- and post-intervention phase for fall-induced injury prevention in the community. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. After the intervention, knowledge about the prevention of fall-induced injuries increased, as did attitudes, beliefs and good behaviors for fall prevention. Behavior modification was most notable with many behavior items changing significantly (p value<0.0001). Conclusions/ Significance The integrated program for reducing fall-related injuries in the community was effective in improving fall prevention among the elderly, but the intervention still needs further improvement.

Knowledge and Perception of Sexual Health Education and Condom Use among STI Patients in India

Aims: To explore the knowledge of STI, HIV/AIDS and condom use behaviour among men and women who have been medically treated and not treated for STIs in relation to socio-demographic factors. Furthermore, the study will explore the perceptions of adolescent sexual health education at school in the aforementioned group.Study Design: Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in all Indian member states during 2005-2006.Methodology: Using nationally representative samples, a cross sectional study of 8924 women and 1644 men (2948 women & 745 men received medical treatment for STIs) were used to examine their knowledge, condom use behaviour and perception of adolescent sexual health education at school. Chi-square analysis was performed.Results: Gher proportions of respondents who were urban residents, higher educated and more affluent received medical treatment for STIs compared to their rural, less educated and poorer peers. More women (43%) who reported condom use during their last sexual intercourse received treatment vs. the group not using condoms (32%). Proportionally, more women and men who had heard about STIs and HIV/AIDS answered in favor of girl’s and boy’s sexual health education, condom use and HIV/AIDS education compared to their peers who did not hear about STIs and HIV/AIDS. Even after receiving treatment respondents reported not having enough information about STIs, or HIV/AIDS. STI patients suggested that sexuality education should be added to school curriculum for a better understanding of the diseases in the general population.Conclusion: Indian policy makers should place emphasis on providing necessary preventive information about STIs through different channels such as treatment centers,school curriculums and awareness campaigns.

Young students’ knowledge and perception of health and fitness: A study in Shanghai, China

Objective: This study investigated how young urban students conceptualize health and fitness and tried to identify their sources of information about health-related issues. The findings are intended to help make suggestions for policy makers to design and develop effective health-education strategies. Methods: Focus group discussions (FGDs) of 20 groups, each comprised of eight 10th-grade students, were carried out. In total 160 students participated in the FGDs. Results: Young students’ knowledge and perceptions about health and fitness had certain limitations, although most of the students emphasized the importance of good health and felt that they knew the meaning of health and fitness. They were most concerned with physical health and failed to consider other aspects of health such as mental/psychological, behavioural and social aspects. This represents a lack of awareness of contemporary conceptions of health and illness. Conclusion: These findings are important when considering the design of effective high school health education strategies that meet state content standards and for influencing students to continue participating in health-promoting activities.