Title of article :
PROMOTION OF HEALTHY HEART KNOWLEDGE and ATTITUDE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SHAHREKORD, IRAN
Author/Authors :
Rouzbahani, Akbar MD, Researcher - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences - Kiyar Health Network - Imam Javad Hospital, Naghan , Rouzbahani, Reza MD - MPH - Community Medicine Specialist - Researcher - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Rouzbahani, Hossein MD - Internal Medicine Resident - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Barkhordar, Maryam MD - Internal Medicine Resident - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Rouzbahani, Fatemeh MSc - Researcher - Department of Food Science and Technology - Isfahan University of Technology , Rezaei, Marzie MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Rezaei, Farahnaz BSc - Researcher - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Malek Ahmadi, Mohammad Reza MD - Assistant Professor of Pediatric Cardiology - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences - Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that a one - year, classroom – based education
for the third, fourth and fifth elementary school graders could change their knowledge
scores about healthy heart.
METHODS: It was a randomized and interventional study in elementary schools of Shahr-e-kord,
Iran in 2006-2007. A total of 8 elementary schools, categorized by socioeconomic types and
male and female setting, were selected and randomized into control or intervention groups.
Subjects were 920 third, fourth and fifth graders, aged 9 to 11 years (50% boys and 50% girls).
Over a course of 8 weeks, health educators and general practitioner of the elementary schools
presented two hours sessions per week on heart function, nutrition, and exercise for healthy
heart and living tobacco free for the intervention group. The education program was based on
Heart Power! Program, an American Heart Association program. Statistical analysis tests wrere:
Mann – Whitney U test and Wilcoxon matched- pairs signed rank test and Bonferroni correction
for the two pair wise comparisons
RESULTS: Total heart knowledge at post test was increased 40% in the intervention group
(P < 0.01). Difference in means of total healthy heart knowledge scores between control and intervention
group increased from 12.4 points in baseline to 24.6 points in post test ( total score
was 30). Attitude in intervention group changed from 32% to 63.9% after post test (P < 0.01).
After general and heart examination, we found 69 students with abnormal heart sounds and finally
by referred to pediatric cardiologist, for 18 them heart diseases were diagnosed.
CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the classroom – based cardiovascular health promotion
had a significant effect on the healthy heart knowledge. Therefore, schools provide an excellent
setting for introducing comprehensive healthy heart education and promotion of cardiovascular
health to the general population.
Keywords :
Healthy heart , Elementary school students , Children , School based education , Knowledge , Attitude , Cardiovascular diseases
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics
