title: An evaluation of factors which can affect the implementation of a health promotion programme under the Schools for Health in Europe framework.
abstract: The Health Promoting Schools concept helps schools to promote health in a sustainable and long-term fashion. However, developing the capacity to promote health in this way can be challenging when a busy teaching curriculum must be fulfilled. This study aimed to identify factors which affect the acceptability of health promotion programmes to the everyday school environment. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were audio-taped with primary school teachers in one Irish county and transcribed verbatim. The resulting transcripts were analysed using content analysis. Thirty-one teachers were interviewed. The factors which may adversely affect the acceptability of health promotion programmes include the: attitude of teachers towards an additional extra-curricular workload; lack of confidence amongst teachers to lead health promotion; and different organisational cultures between schools. When health promotion programmes under the Health Promoting Schools concept are being implemented, it's important to consider: the readiness for change amongst teachers; the resources available to increase staff capacity to promote health; and the ability of a programme to adapt to the different organisational cultures between schools.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Electronic address: abennet@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Annemarie E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Mid-Leinster Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, Health Service Executive, Primary Care Unit, St. Loman's Healthcare Campus, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Electronic address: cara.gray@hse.ie.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Mid-Leinster Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, Health Service Executive, Primary Care Unit, St. Loman's Healthcare Campus, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Electronic address: charlotte.johnston@hse.ie.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnston Molloy
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health / Q000592:standards*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards
keywords: Health Promoting Schools; School health promotion programme; Schoolchildren; Schools for Health in Europe; Teachers