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. 2022 Apr 28:3:100262.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100262. eCollection 2022 Jun.

How to promote a healthy lifestyle among schoolchildren: Development of an intervention module (i-PROMISe)

Tina Rawal  1   2 , Onno C P van Schayck  2 , Maartje Willeboordse  2 , Monika Arora  1 , Soumyadeep Bhaumik  1 , Anjali Bhagra  3 , Sumit Bhagra  3 , Jean W M Muris  2 , Nikhil Tandon  4
Affiliations

How to promote a healthy lifestyle among schoolchildren: Development of an intervention module (i-PROMISe)

Tina Rawal et al. Public Health Pract (Oxf). .

Abstract

Objective: Lifestyle preferences are inculcated in childhood and once established, persist into adulthood. The Project PROMoting Health LIteracy in School (i-PROMISe) aims to promote a healthy lifestyle among students for the universal prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes.

Study design: Qualitative study using focus-group-discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDI).

Method: Project was undertaken in two-phases in two private schools in New Delhi, India. In phase-one, FGDs with students (grades IV to VIII) and IDIs with teachers were conducted to ascertain their perceptions of diabetes prevention and management according to the Health Belief Model. The data was analyzed using a thematic framework method. In phase-two, the resources were pre-tested and participants' feedback was requested on the duration, quality, and understanding of the resources.

Results: In total, 89 students and 17 teachers participated in phase-one (n = 54 [in FGDs] and n = 5 [in IDIs]) and phase-two (n = 35 students and n = 12 teachers in FGDs). In phase-one, themes that emerged included: diabetes was considered a disease of the elderly; misconceptions about susceptibility to these diseases were common; children were largely aware of measures to prevent these diseases, but barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle existed. Based on the findings, a comprehensive module was developed, which consisted of a teacher's manual with interactive activities and short films. The resources (teacher's manual and short films) were well received and contributed to a better understanding of diabetes and other NCDs; myths/misconceptions were clarified.

Conclusion: Development of resources using participatory approach can be effective in promoting and reinforcing healthy behaviours among school going children to prevent and control NCDs in schools.

Keywords: Adolescents; Diabetes; Health belief model; India; Knowledge; Lifestyle behaviors; NCD; Universal prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. None to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Glimpses from video developed for students.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Glimpses from video developed for Teachers.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Teacher's manual.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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