HEALTH ACTION SCHOOLING IN HOME SCHOOLS; AN URBAN HEALTH MODEL

Health Action Schooling (HAS)is one of the emerging approaches to make the students instrument of the change. Mostly the communities living at coastal belt of Karachi, Pakistan are facing worst health and hygienic problems. ... [ view full abstract ]

Health Action Schooling (HAS)is one of the emerging approaches to make the students instrument of the change. Mostly the communities living at coastal belt of Karachi, Pakistan are facing worst health and hygienic problems. FACE is a nonprofit organization working for community development of coastal areas. The organization is implementing various projects. Home schools initiative is one among the key projects of the organization. The schools are offering quality education to the poorest children of area. Recently the Health Action Schooling approach was utilized in schools. The purpose of the initiative was to improve the KAPs.(Knowledge, Attitude and Practices) among the community members regarding the health and hygiene. The initiative was implemented in union council Rehri, Karachi. Total 380 students of two schools participated in the initiative. 18 Health messages were developed. The students were assigned to share messages with their parents. After one month an assessment of parents was conducted. Various changes pertaining to the knowledge, attitude and practices on health and hygiene were found. Community members mentioned their financial expenses have been reduced after practicing on the given messages. Families of these students are living their healthy lives. At present the task of students has been increased. At initial stage students were given the task to focus their own families. Now every student is responsible to share these messages and change at least five families. Significant change is viewed in community. Findings show that such approach could become an effective solution to address the health problems of coastal community. On the basis of evidences it can be said that such approach would be practical method in improving the urban health status in a country like Pakistan. Such findings should be shared in international forums as a successful health model of the world so that other can be benefited.