Effectiveness of Educational Intervention on Physical Activity-Related Knowledge among High School Students in Southern Rural Palestinian Community, in 2012
Date
2014-10-04
Authors
Ghrayeb, Farid A.W.
Rusli, A. Mohamed
Al Rifai, Ayesha
Ismail, I. Mohd
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
IDOSI Publications
Abstract
Low Physical activity during adolescence is recognized as a key public health concern. School-based
interventions are thought to be the most globally applicable and effective way to counteract levels of physical
inactivity and sedentary behavior. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an eight-week school-based
teaching intervention to promote physical activity through increasing the physical activity-related knowledge
of high school students in Palestinian national high schools in 2012. Baseline and 3 months post-test data from
the Health Knowledge Inventory Survey (HKI) were analyzed for group differences through independent t tests
and for improvement over time via repeated measures ANOVA. The findings indicated no significant differences
between the groups in terms of mean physical activity knowledge scores (P = 0.059) before the intervention.
There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in mean knowledge scores between the intervention and control
schools 3 month after intervention follow-up and there was a significant difference in term of gender [male
(p=0.028) and female (p=0.007)] and stream of education track (Scientific and non-scientific) in the intervention
schools. Whereas significant difference for control group (p<0.001) was found solely between scientific and
non-scientific stream students. Media and internet were the two most common sources of physical
activity-related knowledge. The evidence suggests the effectiveness of school-based physical activity
interventions, given the positive effects on physical activity knowledge. Schools are a suitable setting for the
promotion of healthy lifestyles. Additional research on the long-term impact of these interventions is needed.
Description
Keywords
Interventions , Physical Activity , Knowledge , School-Based , Palestine