Volume 2, Issue 2 (3-2026)
2026, 2(2): 53-63 |
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Mirzaei A, jalilian M, Falah S. Assessment of Health Promotion Services in Public Primary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Iran. Journal of Health Sciences Perspective 2026; 2 (2) :53-63
URL: http://jhsp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-72-en.html
URL: http://jhsp.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-72-en.html
School of Public Health
Abstract: (6 Views)
Background: Schools represent one of the most influential settings for promoting children's health and establishing lifelong healthy behaviors. The World Health Organization's Health-Promoting Schools framework emphasizes the integration of health education, supportive environments, preventive services, healthy nutrition, physical activity, and mental health into routine school practices. Despite the implementation of national school health programs in Iran, evidence regarding the quality and comprehensiveness of health promotion services in primary schools remains limited. This study aimed to assess the status of health promotion services in public primary schools in Kermanshah, western Iran.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 40 public primary schools selected using proportional stratified random sampling from three educational districts of Kermanshah. Data were collected through direct observation, document review, and structured interviews with school principals using standardized Ministry of Health checklists and researcher-developed instruments. Nine domains of school health promotion were evaluated, including health education, environmental health and safety, nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention, mental health, oral health, staff health, and human resources. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 24.
Results: Although all participating schools had access to safe drinking water, firefighting equipment, and scheduled physical education classes, substantial deficiencies were identified across several health promotion domains. Only 62.5% of schools employed dedicated health personnel, while 65% lacked emergency exits. Healthy food was exclusively available in only 2.5% of school canteens, and fluoride varnish programs were implemented in only 47.5% of schools. Staff health services were available in 40% of schools. Schools with dedicated health personnel demonstrated better performance in health education, mental health promotion, and disease prevention activities.
Conclusions: Health promotion services in public primary schools of Kermanshah remain considerably below national and international standards. Strengthening the school health workforce, improving school safety infrastructure, promoting healthy nutrition policies, and expanding preventive health services should be prioritized. Future analytical and interventional studies are recommended to identify determinants of service quality and evaluate the effectiveness of school-based health promotion strategies.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 40 public primary schools selected using proportional stratified random sampling from three educational districts of Kermanshah. Data were collected through direct observation, document review, and structured interviews with school principals using standardized Ministry of Health checklists and researcher-developed instruments. Nine domains of school health promotion were evaluated, including health education, environmental health and safety, nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention, mental health, oral health, staff health, and human resources. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 24.
Results: Although all participating schools had access to safe drinking water, firefighting equipment, and scheduled physical education classes, substantial deficiencies were identified across several health promotion domains. Only 62.5% of schools employed dedicated health personnel, while 65% lacked emergency exits. Healthy food was exclusively available in only 2.5% of school canteens, and fluoride varnish programs were implemented in only 47.5% of schools. Staff health services were available in 40% of schools. Schools with dedicated health personnel demonstrated better performance in health education, mental health promotion, and disease prevention activities.
Conclusions: Health promotion services in public primary schools of Kermanshah remain considerably below national and international standards. Strengthening the school health workforce, improving school safety infrastructure, promoting healthy nutrition policies, and expanding preventive health services should be prioritized. Future analytical and interventional studies are recommended to identify determinants of service quality and evaluate the effectiveness of school-based health promotion strategies.
Keywords: Health promotion, School health services, Primary schools, Health-promoting schools, Environmental health, Mental health, School nutrition, Disease prevention, Iran
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Health promotion
Received: 2026/07/11 | Accepted: 2026/03/5 | Published: 2026/03/5
Received: 2026/07/11 | Accepted: 2026/03/5 | Published: 2026/03/5
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