Developing of health perception and psychosocial skills in disadventaged students: A school based interventional study from çanakkale [Dezavantajlı öğrencilerde sağlık algısının ve psikososyal becerilerin geliştirilmesi: Okul tabanlı bir müdahale çalışması]

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop health perception and psychosocial skills in disadvantaged students in a primary school. METHOD: This interventional study was conducted in a primary school between May 2012 and June 2012 in Kepez, Canakkale within the context of “Consultancy Application in Primary Schools”as the first step of “From Local to Cambridge and NASA: Development of Canakkale Values and Promotional Awareness in Disadvantaged Students” (TR22.11.SK01.0111) project. Fifteen students with different disadvantages at the 5th,6th,7th,and 8th grades in the second semester were included in the study. Training studies were performed to develop psychosocial skills and health perception of students. These studies were performed at the school library twice a week for three weeks. In this study, socio-demographic, health perception evaluation and psychosocial skill evaluation forms were used as material. Study data were analyzed using by SPSS, 15.00 version. RESULTS: Most students (66.6%) were female. Statistically significant difference was defined in psychosocial skill developments of students between the median values measured three weeks apart (p<0.001). When examined responses of students to the health perception scale, it was observed that favorable attitudes of students were increased, whereas unfavorable attitudes were decreased in the measurements during the training. CONCLUSION: Students with disadvantages gained physical, psychological and social skills (being interactive; sharing, communicating, enterprising) features of leadership and social supporting as well as the development of health perception. Two students, who successfully completed these training activities in our study group, were chosen to the project camp. One of these two students, who successfully completed the activities in the project camp and past the final exam was accepted by science trip in the United Kingdom. In conclusion, professional group trainings at early ages may be helpful for developing characteristics of health perception, psychosocial skills, enterprising in disadvantaged students. © 2015, TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.