ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KIBRA SUB-COUNTY, NAIROBI. KENYA
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Date
2021-10
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA
Abstract
This study assessed the influence of school health interventions on educational achievements in secondary schools in Kibra sub-county. The research was guided by the questions of how the provision and access to adequate nutritional school meals, safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities influenced educational achievements in secondary schools in Kibra Sub-County. The study also identified challenges that school administrators experienced while implementing school health interventions, as well as potential strategies for making these programmes more effective. The study was anchored on the ecological systems theory and adopted mixed-method design, specifically convergent parallel design. The study target population included form 3 students, school principals, school matrons, one sub-county quality assurance, and standard officer. A sample size of 327 respondents was selected through a combination of sampling techniques: cluster sampling, expert sampling, homogeneous purposive sampling, proportionate and simple random sampling. Questionnaires, interviews, and observation guides were used to collect data. Cronbach’s Alpha technique was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire items while the reliability of the interview and observation guide was determined in terms of their credibility and dependability. The descriptive and inferential statistics used to analyse quantitative data included Factor Analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, and the Logic regression model. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, and the results were presented in verbatim and narrative form. Tables and figures were used to present the results of the data analysis. The study found a statistically significant relationship between the provisions of nutritious school meals, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene facilities, and students’ educational achievements. In addition, the study established that challenges of low food quality and quantity, insufficient water supply, absence of efficient drinking water treatment plan,
inadequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, insufficient funds, and lack of well-trained professionals undermined implementation of health interventions. The study concluded that a reputable variability of about 11.0 units increase in students’ educational achievements was explained by a one-unit increase in health interventions. However, the variations reported in the provision and access to health intervention facilities could be the reason for low students’
educational achievements in secondary schools in Kibra Sub- County. The study recommended that though all schools provided meals, water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to students, stakeholders should assure the quality and quantity of meals as well as access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities at all times. Sub-County quality assurance and standards officer to conduct impromptu inspections of schools to ensure adherence to health standards, conduct
health education to sensitize members of the school community on the influence of health interventions on their health, school enrolment, attendance, and academic achievements. The Ministry of Education should also increase budgetary allocation for school health interventions. The findings of this study will guide education policymakers, educators, and school administrators on how to improve nutrition and WASH interventions for students’ educational achievements.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
School health interventions, educational achievement, student performance, secondary schools, school-based programs.