Effect of Health Habits’ Modification Program on Health Status for School Children with Parasitic Infestation in Rural Areas

Parasitic infestation represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in school children all over the
world. Health habits make children especially vulnerable to parasitic infections. Aim: To evaluate effect of
health habits’ modification program on health status for school children with parasitic infestation in rural
areas Study Design: A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct this study. Setting: This study was
conducted at Toukh Comprehensive Clinic affiliated to Health Insurance in Qalubia Governorate Subjects:
A purposeful sample of 105 school children was included in this study. Tools: Three tools I. An
interviewing questionnaire, for school children was divided into five parts; to assess demographic
characteristics for school children and their modified risk factors, knowledge, attitude, and health habits II.
Observational checklist to assess school children practices. III. Medical records of school children’s health
status. Results: Revealed that 59% of school children had poor total health habits pre program
implementation, while it was modified to become 61% and 84.8% had good total health habits through post
program implementation and follow up respectively compared to 41% in pre program implementation with a
highly statistically significant difference (P< .0001). Conclusion: The study concluded that there was
statistically significant efficacy of the modification program on improving the health habits for school
children and their knowledge, attitude, and practices related to parasitic infestation. As well, the program had
evident effect on restoring school children’s health status and preventing parasitic complications in addition
to enhancing scholastic achievement through program implementation phases (P< .0001).
Recommendations: The study recommended that periodical health education about prevention of parasites is
necessary to raise school children’s awareness about health habits and improve personal and environmental
hygienic measures at school time.