Health Education Needs of High School Students in a Large Diversified Metropolitan Area

Abstract

In addition to the findings of related studies, four sources of information were selected as a basis for determining the health education needs of high school students. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 959 B10 and A12 grade students in eight Los Angeles high schools by use of the LeMaistre Health Behavior Inventory, the Mooney Problem Check List, information derived from appraisals by school physicians' examinations, and personal data questionnaires on health history which students were asked to complete. The LeMaistre Inventory showed greatest weaknesses to be in the health education areas of sleep, rest, and relaxation; prevention and control of chronic and degenerative diseases; safety education; and consumer health. The Mooney Check List showed most student concerns to be in the areas of sleep, rest, and relaxation; mental health; personal health; and nutrition. From the physicians' examinations, orthopedic, dental, visual, and skin defects were observed most frequently; these findings have implications for the instructional areas of personal health and dental health. From student personal health histories, nutrition; consumer health; sleep, rest, and relaxation; and stimulants and depressants were evident as the instructional areas needing greatest emphasis.

Although little or no statistically significant relationship was found among students' scores on the various techniques which were used to identify needs, it was possible to note an interrelationship among the rank order of certain areas. Moreover, statistically significant grade and sex differences (.05) were apparent in certain aspects of students' health behavior.