A Sequential Explanatory Analysis of Nutritional Status And Health Care Practices Of Senior High School Students In Eastern Samar, Philippines

Abstract

Objective: To examine the over-all health status and practices of Senior High School Students in Easter Samar, Philippine in order to design programs that will improve learners’ health status. Methods: This study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed method design through in-depth interviews of the key informants who were actively involved in program implementation in the five schools selected in the Division of Eastern Samar, Philippines during School Year 2019-2020. Findings: It was found that some of the student-respondents have nutritional problems. Further, the positive impacts included improved students’ health and school environment and enhanced community awareness. However, the key impediments in implementing the program included a lack of coordination, lack of resources, limited training opportunities, and doubts regarding the sustainability of the program. Conclusions: In light of the findings, the following conclusions have been drawn:  Most of the SHS students-respondents has a problem in their Nutritional Status; teacher-respondents identified several operational barriers to implementing and expanding the program throughout the division; the four major challenges identified by the teacher-respondents were lack of coordination between division health unit, lack of resources, lack of training opportunities, and low sustainability of the program; and despite these challenges, all the respondents acknowledged that the School-based health and nutrition program had positive effects on students, schools, and communities and provided some suggestions to improve the implementation of the program in the division.