WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Sudesh Kumari*, Himmta Ram, Shakti Singh, Surendra Choudhary and Narendra Pal Singh Choudhary

ABSTRACT

Introduction: School health programs are essential for promoting student well-being and creating a conducive learning environment. The knowledge of school teachers regarding these programs in India is often inadequate, posing challenges to effective implementation. This study aims to assess the knowledge levels of school teachers in Jodhpur regarding selected components of the school health program. Methods: A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting school teachers in selected schools of Jodhpur. A sample of 100 teachers was selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize demographic characteristics and knowledge levels. Chi-square tests were employed to examine associations between knowledge levels and socio-demographic variables. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethical committee of S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur. Results: The knowledge levels were categorized as inadequate (38%), moderate (34%), and adequate (28%). Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and age group (p=0.017), educational qualification (p=0.024), and teaching experience (p=0.018), but not with gender (p=0.719) or location (p=0.429). Conclusion: The study highlights significant knowledge gaps among school teachers in Jodhpur regarding selected components of the school health program. Older teachers, those with higher educational qualifications, and more teaching experience tend to have better knowledge. There is an urgent need for targeted educational interventions and continuous professional development programs to enhance teachers' knowledge, which can improve the implementation and effectiveness of school health initiatives.

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