An assessment of the potential of primary schools as agents of health education in Bondo division, Siaya district

Abstract

This study is pointer to the increasing interest in health education as a new research area by anthropologists. This research:- i) examines the role of primary schools' health education in the provision of health education to pupils and whether this type of education influences the pupils' health knowledge, attitudes and behavioural patterns; ii) attempts to find out whether health messages acquired by pupils through the primary health education trickle down to the community around the schools. To achieve these aims, a sample of 177 pupils from standards three and eight was randomly selected from six schools in Bondo Division. The data were collected using Interviews, participatory approach and focus group discussions. Because of the nature of the data, qualitative techniques were applied in the analysis. The findings indicate that primary schools play an instrumental role in socializing children in many aspects related to health. Thus, schools are more important in provision of health education to pupils, unlike parents and the Ministry of Health. The findings also indicate that pupils benefit from the health education programme. This is shown by the fact that most of the respondents could display great knowledge of all the issues raised. A similar trend was observed in their attitude and behaviour. In addition, pupils do not keep the health messages acquired via the schools to themselves. Other people in the community, especially parents, also benefit from the messages. The study recommends the strengthening of health education in pnmary schools since they form the most important source of health knowledge not only to the pupils but also the community they live in. Further, it recommends that since the exchange of ideas on health issues between parents and pupils is devoid of hostilities, pupils could be successfully used in health campaigns in those areas hard hit by some preventable diseases associated with poor hygienic and sanitary conditions and practices.