English
Français
Findings from the ASHE II Health Evaluation
The Alcoa School Health and Education Project (ASHE II) was implemented in 8 elementary schools in the Boke region. The goal was to improve the quality of health education and conditions in those schools.
In the study, parents, teachers, and students were interviewed, and before-and-after questions were posed to track changes in knowledge and attitudes. Seven classroom lessons were also video-taped before and after the intervention in order to see if teachers' actual skills in the classroom were improving.
From April to June 2008, Dr. Boubacar Diallo and Ms. Rebecca Harry (left) conducted the ASHE II impact evaluation. Dr. Boubacar Diallo is the coordinator of the ASHE II Project and Ms. Harry is an MPH candidate at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada.
Students practice hygienic skills like washing hands, clipping nails, and cutting hair.
Changes in the school and community
As reported by teachers, principals and parents in interviews and focus group discussions:
Healthier communities: Wells provide clean, drinkable water not only to people at school but the neighboring residents, thereby improving the health of the whole community
Improved sanitation at school: Students reported increased use of newly-established latrines in their schools instead of going in the bushes. They are now also washing with soap after using the latrines – something they did not do when they went in the bushes.
Volunteer committees created: In one school, a “health improvement committee” was established voluntarily by parents and teachers to monitor children’s hygiene at schools.
School health policy: Teachers and principals in each school have implemented health policies for their schools. Prior to ASHE II the school classrooms had spider webs on the walls and ceilings. Now schools have a sanitation calendar and all the students clean the classrooms and the school yard, ensuring there is no standing water.
Cleaner food at school: At the schools, children now survey conditions of food sold by female venders (i.e. bread, prepared beans), making sure that the food is covered and that the surrounding environment is clean.
Improved sanitation at home: Parents reported that since the arrival of ASHE II, they now make sure all family members brush their teeth before bed, and wash their hands before and after eating. Some reported that family members no longer but their hands in the same water; rather, they pour the water and provide soap for each member.
ASHE II Evaluation Findings
Summary of the ASHE II Project
Percentage of students
who believe...
You cannot contract HIV/AIDS by visiting someone with the virus
You cannot contract HIV/AIDS by sharing their clothes
You cannot contract HIV/AIDS by studying with someone with the virus
AFTER
95%
81%
100%
BEFORE
55%
25%
81%
Changes in students’ beliefs: Destroying the myths about HIV/AIDS
The same students (n=41) were interviewed before and after the implementation of the ASHE II Project.
Changes in students’ beliefs: Destroying the myths about malaria
The same students (n=41) were interviewed before and after the implementation of the ASHE II Project.
Percentage of students
who believe...
Curdled milk can transmit malaria
Washing hands in the rain can transmit malaria
Eating mangoes can transmit malaria
Eating with dirty hands can transmit malaria
AFTER
26%
19%
21%
70%
BEFORE
58%
85%
49%
80%
Changes in teachers’ beliefs: Destroying the myths
(n=14) NB: The same teachers were interviewed before and after ASHE II.
Percentage of teachers
who believe...
Curdled milk or washing hands in the rain can transmit malaria
Eating mangoes can transmit malaria
Eating with dirty hands can transmit malaria
AFTER
20%
none
30%
BEFORE
41%
15%
50%
BEFORE
All teachers used question and answer to engage the students in the health lesson. Only one of the teachers also used small group discussion
The teachers did not require the students to practice new hygenic skills.
AFTER
All teachers observed used a variety of methods to engage the students: question and answer, blackboard presentation, pictures, and demonstrations
Two of the teachers also asked the students to practice new skill in lesson
Changes in teachers' skills: (n=4)
Schoolchildren at Madina Carrefour Primary School, Guinea.
Schoolgirls cleaning the school yard of Kabanah Primary School, Guinea.
Kaweki Primary School Teachers and Dr. Diallo, following the ASHE II evaluation interviews.
Contact information: School-to-School International
PO Box 371056Montara, CA 94037Tel & fax: +1 (650) 728-7138Email: info@sts-international.orgWeb: http://sts-international.orgSchool-to-School International is a tax-exempt, nonprofit
501 (c) (3) organization registered in the State of California.
Copyright 2008 © School-to-School International. All rights reserved.
