University Students' Perceived Effectiveness of Their High School Health Education

Abstract

A sample of 410 university students (96% response rate) completed a four-page survey regarding their perceived effectiveness of high school health education in increasing their health knowledge and adoption of healthy behaviors. Results indicated that the majority of students felt health education was important and that healthy behaviors were important to adopt. Students who had taken three or more high school health classes and who had a high school health teacher teach their health classes reported increased perceived effectiveness scores of high school health education. In addition, younger university students (freshmen and sophomores) were more likely than older university students (juniors and seniors) to feel that their high school health education was effective in increasing their health knowledge and health behavior. Based on these findings, it appears that increased high school health education and the hiring of certified health educators to teach high school health classes are warranted. Recommendations addressing these issues are offered in this article.