IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMME FOR PROMOTION OF HEALTHFUL LIVING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the implementation of school health programme in secondary schools
in Akwa Ibom State. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study design
was a survey non-experimental design that assessed the school health programme, its
availability and practices in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. The study
population constituted of 10,009 secondary schools teachers in Akwa Ibom State. A sample
size of 729 secondary school teachers was selected using multi-stage sampling technique.
The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan Sample Determination Table. A
self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire titled “Implementation of School Health
Programme and Healthful Living Questionnaire (ISHPHLQ)” containing 28 items was
designed for the study. A reliability coefficient of 0.88 was realised when the questionnaire
was pilot-tested on 50 secondary school teachers who did not take part in the main study.
Data collected were analysed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). To
interpret each hypothesis, the calculated probability value (p-value) was compared to 0.05
level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that healthy school environment, school
feeding service and school, home and community relationship significantly related with
implementation of school health programme. Based on the findings, the researchers
recommended that parents should join hands with the school authority to create effective
school, home and community relationship. This will help improve and maintain the health
and wellbeing of the school children.