1B. Sc., M. Sc, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University
2MBChB, M. Sc., DTM & H, Ph. D., FFPH, FRCP Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University
3MBChB, FICMS, FFPH, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University
*Corresponding Author: Attallah Omar Qasem, B. Sc., M. Sc., Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University
Online published on 23 December, 2019.
School-based health education is an appropriate approach for improving students’ knowledge, and hence practices regarding multiple risk behaviour. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of an educational intervention on the risky behaviours of the students, which will, in turn, motivate the students to take protective measures against the risky behaviours. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 190 students selected randomly from three high schools in Erbil city, during the academic school year 2017–2018. A self-administered questionnaire on practices assessment regarding multiple risk behaviours was developed and validated by the experts regarding the relevance of the items. A structured teaching program for imparting knowledge on various aspects of health risk behaviours was developed based on extensive review of literature and experts’ opinions. Of the 190 students, 47.9% were males and 52.1% were females. The study revealed a statistically significant improvement in the mean rank of the practice of students following the implementation of a health education program (p<0.001). Implementing a health education program about multiple risk behaviour on high school students in Erbil city is achievable and valuable.
Multiple risk behaviour, High school, Students, Educational program, Iraq
