Novel skills-based training for healthy lifestyle adoption in India

Abstract

Introduction:

Adolescence is a pivotal period for establishing lifelong health behaviours, yet many school-based health education initiatives in India rely on passive, didactic methods that fail to engage students effectively. Skills-based health education, which emphasises interactive and participatory learning, has shown promise globally but remains underutilised in Indian school settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a skills-based intervention on improving healthy lifestyle knowledge and health-promoting behaviours among early adolescents in Puducherry.

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of a school-based, skills-based health education intervention in promoting healthy lifestyle knowledge and behaviours among early adolescents in Puducherry, India.

Study Design:

Quasi-experimental study employing a two-arm design with pre- and post-intervention assessments at 1 and 3 months.

Study Setting:

Government and private schools in rural and urban areas of the Puducherry district, India.

Methods:

A total of 410 students aged 10–13 years were recruited using stratified cluster random sampling and allocated to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received a 2-day skills-based programme incorporating interactive methods and ongoing reinforcement, while the control group received conventional didactic lectures. Outcomes were assessed using a validated 25-item Healthy Lifestyle Knowledge Questionnaire and the Adolescent Health Promotion Scale (AHPS).

Results:

At baseline, both groups were comparable in sociodemographic variables and outcome scores. Post-intervention, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in healthy lifestyle knowledge (median increased from 11 to 21) and in all six AHPS domains (p < .001), with maintained improvements at 3-month follow-up. The control group showed minimal or no improvement.

Conclusion:

Skills-based health education significantly improved adolescent health knowledge and behaviour. The findings highlight the efficacy and scalability of interactive, school-based interventions, particularly for early adolescents.