A Study of Health Education and Its Needs for Elementary School Students.

Health Education, particularly in elementary schools, appears to be a neglected area in Pakistan. This study investigated the health education needs of elementary school students. The purpose of the present study is to assess health education needs of elementary school students. The study adopted mix approach of (qualitative and quantitative) research for data collection. The quantitative data were collected by administering piloted questionnaire on elementary school students (n=400) and the response rate was 82% (as 328 responses were complete). The same participants were also interviewed in groups of 4-6 students. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively; whereas, interviews were analyzed thematically. Overall 68% of the elementary school students required information about the main constructs of health education; 69% appeared to be keen on knowing about physical environment in and around their schools and homes; 77% were interested to get awareness about commonly spreading out diseases and puberty issues. The results of this study appeared to be aligned to the social context of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The elementary school students were merely aware of the main constructs of health education and needed awareness, specifically in food and nutrition, hygiene, seasonal and tropical diseases, infectious diseases, and psychological problems. Proper school health education programme may be initiated for elementary school students.