Finnish pupils’ perceptions of health education as a school subject

Abstract

Only a few countries have introduced health education (HE) as a stand-alone school subject. In Finland every pupil in basic education grades 7-9 takes three obligatory courses in HE. This study investigated Finnish pupils' perceptions of the teaching and learning of HE. It also explored how school- and family-related background variables are associated with these perceptions. Nationally representative data were obtained from a 2010 school-based study on Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). A total of 4262 pupils from 7th and 9th grades (13 and 15 years old) responded anonymously to the questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associations between perceptions of HE and school- and family-related background variables. The majority of the pupils had positive perceptions of HE. In terms of their own learning, girls' perceptions were more positive than boys': 86% of 13- and 15-year-old girls agreed that HE classes had taught them to think about the advantages and disadvantages of various health behaviours, whereas only 79% of boys shared this opinion. School engagement had the strongest association with perceptions of HE: the more positive the attitudes towards school, the more positive were the perceptions of HE. Older girls perceived their learning and their participation in class discussions more positively than younger ones, and older boys were more critical of the teaching than younger ones. The pupils' educational aspirations were not associated with their perceptions of HE, and perceived family affluence was associated only with girls' perceptions of participation in HE classes. The pupils' feedback on HE was positive and encouraging. There is a demand for the subject in society, and HE seems to have the potential to augment young people's positive attitudes towards health issues, and to enhance their health literacy.

“When I feel well all over, I study and learn better” - experiences of good conditions for health and learning in schools in the Arctic region of Sweden

“…In Finland, the national school curriculum includes mandatory health education to increase students' health literacy [54,55]. This focus on health literacy within the educational arena could prevent health problems and ensure health promotion, which are linked with improved academic performance [3].…”

How Did Parents View the Impact of the Curriculum-Based HealthLit4Kids Program Beyond the Classroom?

“…The learning trajectory begins well before children enter school and, once attending school, they continue to learn at home and in the community [24]. Parents play a critical role in providing learning opportunities at home that can reinforce educational messages and themes taught in school [25,26]. For example, parents are in an ideal position to influence and reinforce behaviours of their child relevant to nutrition, hygiene, screen time, and physical activity.…”

Subjective health literacy among school-aged children

“…The results of the PISA study indicate consistent differences between boys and girls in reading, doing homework, and investing effort at school (OECD, 2015), and in attitudes to learning and school (OECD, 2015;Summanen, 2014). In Finland girls tend to be more interested than boys in the health issues discussed in HE lessons (Aira et al, 2014). …”