TY - JOUR

T1 - The COVID-19 pandemic as an disruptive event in school health promotion. Survey results from Germany

AU - Dadaczynski, Kevin

AU - Messer, Melanie

AU - Okan, Orkan

N1 - Conference code: 15

PY - 2022/10/1

Y1 - 2022/10/1

N2 - BackgroundThis study examines the extent to which schools implement activities on health promotion and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, potential differences with regard to demographic variables, school type, state, and participation in state public health and health promotion initiatives are determined.MethodsAs part of the international COVID-Health Literacy Research Network, an online-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 with 2,186 school principals from three German federal states. The implementation status of COVID-19 related school health promotion was assessed using a self-developed instrument. After examining the factorial structure of the instrument, univariate and bivariate data analyses were performed.ResultsThree dimensions of implementing school health promotion can be identified (1. COVID-19- related support for pupils, 2. Health promoting design of teaching, learning and working conditions, 3. Principles of Health Promoting School). A low level of implementation can be observed for aspects of teaching, learning and working conditions (31%) as well as for participation (52%) and cooperation with community stakeholders (42%). Significant differences can be determined with female, older and primary school principals reporting a higher implementation status while for federal state mixed results are found. Stratified by participation in state health promotion initiatives, only schools with a certificate in health promotion show a higher level of implementation.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a disruptive event for schools, impeding the implementation of holistic activities on health promotion and prevention. In addition to systematic support for school principals in the area of health promotion and prevention, it should be ensured that existing initiatives are provided with sufficient resources, especially in times of crisis.

AB - BackgroundThis study examines the extent to which schools implement activities on health promotion and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, potential differences with regard to demographic variables, school type, state, and participation in state public health and health promotion initiatives are determined.MethodsAs part of the international COVID-Health Literacy Research Network, an online-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021 with 2,186 school principals from three German federal states. The implementation status of COVID-19 related school health promotion was assessed using a self-developed instrument. After examining the factorial structure of the instrument, univariate and bivariate data analyses were performed.ResultsThree dimensions of implementing school health promotion can be identified (1. COVID-19- related support for pupils, 2. Health promoting design of teaching, learning and working conditions, 3. Principles of Health Promoting School). A low level of implementation can be observed for aspects of teaching, learning and working conditions (31%) as well as for participation (52%) and cooperation with community stakeholders (42%). Significant differences can be determined with female, older and primary school principals reporting a higher implementation status while for federal state mixed results are found. Stratified by participation in state health promotion initiatives, only schools with a certificate in health promotion show a higher level of implementation.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is a disruptive event for schools, impeding the implementation of holistic activities on health promotion and prevention. In addition to systematic support for school principals in the area of health promotion and prevention, it should be ensured that existing initiatives are provided with sufficient resources, especially in times of crisis.

KW - Health sciences

UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=leuphana_woslite&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:000895463400657&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/9afc00c3-b17a-36ae-b65b-7089b62544b5/

U2 - 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.656

DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.656

M3 - Conference abstract in journal

VL - 32

JO - European Journal of Public Health

JF - European Journal of Public Health

SN - 1101-1262

IS - Sp 3

M1 - ckac129.6

T2 - Conference - 15th European Public Health Conference 2022

Y2 - 9 November 2022 through 12 November 2022

ER -