“Filling a gap: knowledge in health related science for middle school students in formal and informal contexts

ABSTRACT

Background

Recent studies shows lack of knowledge concerning health literacy relatively microorganism/disease and the correct use of antibiotics. These facts lead to the spreading of resistant strains bacteria.

Aims

The overarching goals of this study were a) to promote health literacy predominantly in respect to microorganism/disease, diseases transmission, antibiotic target and adequate antibiotic use; b) to show the importance of the transmission of health information in different environments; c) to motivate students for science research.

Methods

Students’ knowledge was evaluated with a survey instrument. Responses were analyzed before and after the implementation of the activity. The activity consists of an interactive lecture, slide show presentation and some practical activities. The sample includes 25 Portuguese students, 13–17 years old who attended the activity in Palácio de Cristal (Porto) and 66 students from D. Maria II School, V.N. Famalicão.

Results

In this study, significant increase in knowledge about all the topics evaluated were observed both in formal and informal environments between the pre and post-test; however the best results were detected in informal contexts.

Conclusion

The findings showed the importance of the implementation of scientific activities to middle-school students. This experience was valuable and helped to improve student knowledge on heath topics.

KEYWORDS:

• Heath literacy in diverse environments
• extra-curricular activities
• antibiotic knowledge
• middle-school students

Ethical Approval

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Porto University, European Research Night Organization Committee and Teachers who accompanied the students at the ‘Palácio de Cristal’. In the School D. Maria II verbal consent was the method agreed by the School Board, Class Director, D. Maria II Cluster Head and the students’ guardians.

All the participants were invited to take part in the study and informed on the study purpose and objectives. Student participation was voluntary and anonymous. There were no refusals to the participation in the current study.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Author Contributions

MMA designed the study, collected, analyzed the data and wrote the paper, ER analyzed the data, performed the lectures and critically reviewed the manuscript, RTS helped to analyze the data, CPV critically reviewed the manuscript and AGR designed the powerpoint presentation and the survey and critically reviewed the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.