Abstract
Background: Childhood is a critical period for establishing healthy behaviors that can last a lifetime. School-based health education programs aim to equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed health choices. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs in schools on improving children's health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Specifically, it examines changes in nutritional knowledge, physical activity levels, and hygiene practices among students.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was used, involving 300 students from grades 4 to 6 in five public schools. The schools were selected based on similar socioeconomic backgrounds to ensure comparability. The intervention consisted of a comprehensive health education program delivered over six months, with weekly sessions focused on nutrition, physical activity, and hygiene. Data were collected using pre- and post-intervention surveys and health assessments. The surveys measured health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, while the health assessments included BMI, physical fitness tests, and hygiene checks. Data analysis involved paired t-tests and ANCOVA to compare pre- and post-intervention scores, controlling for potential confounders.
Results: The intervention resulted in significant improvements in students' health knowledge, with average knowledge scores increasing by 25% (p < 0.01). Attitudes towards healthy behaviors also showed significant positive changes, with an increase in the proportion of students expressing favorable attitudes towards nutrition, physical activity, and hygiene practices (p < 0.05). Behavioral assessments indicated a 20% increase in physical activity levels, improved dietary habits with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, and better hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing (p < 0.05). Physical health assessments revealed a slight reduction in BMI and significant improvements in physical fitness scores (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Health education programs in schools effectively enhance children's health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. These findings support the integration of structured health education into school curricula as a strategy for promoting long-term health benefits. However, further research is needed to explore the sustainability of these effects and identify the most effective program components.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Sitelbanat Osman Mohamed Ahmed (Author)