Intervention Effect on Health Efficacy and Knowledge in Cardiovascular Health Promotion Behaviors in Children

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the intervention effects on health efficacy and health knowledge related to health behaviors for improving cardiovascular health in elementary school children. Methods: A repeated measure, pre-post-test design was used to identify the intervention effect on health efficacy and health knowledge among 5th grade school children. Intervention consisted of a curriculum classroom intervention and parent intervention. Health efficacy, health knowledge, and perceived parental monitoring were measured for testing intervention effect. A sample of 219 participants completed a baseline pre-test and two tests during intervnetion and after intervention from March to July 2004. Results: Mental health efficacy improved significantly from baseline test to the test after intervention (F = 32.88, p < 0.0001). Physical health efficacy also significantly increased during intervention (F = 50.51, p < 0.0001), but did not significantly change after parent intervention. Health knowledge increased significantly from baseline test to the test after education (F =10.23, p < 0.0001), but decreased after parent intervention. Perceived parental monitoring had a significant impact on mental health efficacy and physical health efficacy. Conclusion: The findings support school-based cardiovascular health promotion intervention as effective in improving health efficacy and health knowledge. Parental influence should also be considered to maintain improved health efficacy and health knowledge by thinking process in the intervention for elementary school children.