Adolescent Science Students’ Perception of Acquisition of Environmental Health Skills through School Health Programme in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was on science students’ perception of acquisition of environmental health (sanitation) skills among adolescents in Imo State through the school health programme. Six research questions and five hypotheses guided the study. The descriptive research design was used for the study. Using the multi- stage sampling technique, 565 science students were sampled for the study. The study revealed that all the items presented in the study were perceived to be very important environmental sanitation skills by students. These covered water pollution, disposal of human waste, food handing, and environmental cleanliness. Gender, educational qualification of parents, and person responsible for family health were significant on the acquisition of environmental sanitation skills while family typology and status of single parenthood had no influence on acquisition of health skills. The perception of students whose parents hold PhD was significantly higher than those with ordinary National Diploma (OND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC). The perception of those whose father cares most was significantly higher than those whose mother does not care or cares a little. In view of the results of the study, it was recommended that the Ministry of Education should develop procedures for inculcating these skills in adolescents as a way of life and as a school requirement for graduation. Parental responsibility in health care is fundamental in acquisition of health skills.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p193