Evaluation of health promotion in schools: a realistic evaluation approach using mixed methods

Abstract

BackgroundSchools are key settings for health promotion (HP) but the development of suitable approaches for evaluating HP in schools is still a major topic of discussion. This article presents a research protocol of a program developed to evaluate HP. After reviewing HP evaluation issues, the various possible approaches are analyzed and the importance of a realistic evaluation framework and a mixed methods (MM) design are demonstrated.Methods/DesignThe design is based on a systemic approach to evaluation, taking into account the mechanisms, context and outcomes, as defined in realistic evaluation, adjusted to our own French context using an MM approach. The characteristics of the design are illustrated through the evaluation of a nationwide HP program in French primary schools designed to enhance children's social, emotional and physical health by improving teachers' HP practices and promoting a healthy school environment. An embedded MM design is used in which a qualitative data set plays a supportive, secondary role in a study based primarily on a different quantitative data set. The way the qualitative and quantitative approaches are combined through the entire evaluation framework is detailed.DiscussionThis study is a contribution towards the development of suitable approaches for evaluating HP programs in schools. The systemic approach of the evaluation carried out in this research is appropriate since it takes account of the limitations of traditional evaluation approaches and considers suggestions made by the HP research community.

The involvement of young people in school- and community-based noncommunicable disease prevention interventions: a scoping review of designs and outcomes

“…This approach means that the emphasis is not on implementing interventions “targeting children” but rather on creating the necessary conditions to reduce risk factors and enhance children’s health. The mobilisation, active involvement and empowerment of stakeholders are not only intermediate outcomes but also critical preconditions for the effectiveness of prevention efforts and are therefore goals in and of themselves [58, 59]. …”

Evaluación Comparativa del Conocimiento Sobre Salud Oral Entre Equipos Pedagógicos que Recibieron y no Recibieron Promoción en Salud

“…Sin embargo, para que su actuación sea efectiva, es necesario un abordaje multiprofesional que integre el equipo pedagógico de la escuela con las actividades de promoción de salud oral (Castro et al, 2014). La participación de este equipo está directamente relacionada con la motivación y el envolvimiento del alumno de educación infantil (Pommier et al, 2010).…”

Evaluation von Gesundheitsfördernden Schulen

“…Evaluation · Health promotion · Health promotion evaluation · School health promotion · Health promoting school der Prozesse immer mehr Bedeutung zugesprochen [19,21].…”

“…Dazu wird eine Kombination quantitativer und qualitativer Methoden (Methodentriangulation) angewandt. Neben der generellen Forderung nach Methodenvielfalt und Methodentriangulation [21] wird daher auch im Bereich der schulischen Gesundheitsför-derungsforschung auf die Vorzüge einer realistischen Evaluation verwiesen [19].…”