Self-Reported Symptoms and Outcome of Health Promotion at School: Cross-Sectional Study of 11–15-year-olds

Abstract

Introduction and aim:

This paper examines whether students with common symptoms perceive positive outcome of the health dialogue with the school health nurse.

Methods and study population:

This study included all students in the fifth, seventh and ninth grade classes (average age 11.8, 13.8 and 15.8 years) in a random sample of schools in Denmark, response rate 87%, n=5.205. The data collection took place in the classroom by a standardised questionnaire. The dependent variables were four aspects of perceived outcome of the health dialogue with the school health nurse and the independent variables were eight common symptoms.

Results:

The majority of the students had thought about the health dialogue, discussed it with their parents, and had followed the advice from the nurse. A minority also visited the nurse again. Students with frequent physical and psychological symptoms had more often than other students thought about the health dialogue, followed the advice and visited the nurse again. Conclusion: The study suggests that students with high symptom load perceive more benefit from the dialogue with the school health nurse.