Knowledge about students’ health needs among teachers of Zahedan primary schools

Background: Students are major part of population that their physical and mental health
provides health and dynamic society. For achievement this criteria, teachers have essential
and main role if they possess required knowledge. Therefore study was conducted to
determine teachers’ knowledge about students’ health needs.
Methods and Materials: A cross- sectional study was designed in 2003 and 400 teachers of
Zahedan primary school was selected randomly. A 30-item questionnaire was developed
including questions about environmental health and students’ physical and mental health.
Data was analyzed using SPSS 11.
Results: The teachers’ knowledge about environmental health in three categories low,
moderate, and high respectively was 71.5%, 28.5%, and 0.0%. About students’ physical health
it was 19% low, 78.3% moderate, and 2.8%high. The knowledge about students’ mental health
was 22% low, 61% moderate, and 17% high. The teachers’ knowledge had no relation with
their education level.
Conclusions: Results showed teachers’ knowledge about school health is not adequate.
Therefore teaching teacher about school health specially students’ mental health as an
effective strategy is recommended.