Health promotion in secondary schools : a qualitative exploration into the health literacy of parents

Abstract

In current research and literature worldwide, it has been emphasised that families are an important environment in which to teach health literacy and that parents are required to co-operate with school caregivers to identify their children’s health problems. Parents of secondary-school children play an essential role in ensuring their children’s health literacy especially if they are living in contexts of poverty. Limited research exists within the South African and the international context regarding the importance of parents’ health literacy in supporting their children's information and behavioural health development. Knowledge about the level of parents’ health literacy, in terms of parental knowledge, skills, attitudes, practices and behaviour, is limited. This study was guided by the research question: How do parents of secondary-school learners perceive and construct their health literacy? Since the study stemmed from an interpretive research paradigm, I used a qualitative research methodology. I used purposive sampling to select the participants. I selected the secondary schools that formed part of the study from the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Educational District surrounding Potchefstroom. I approached the schools based on their willingness to partner in the research project. These schools were situated in socially and economically challenged communities where the risks of multiple health problems were prevalent. Two schools were willing to participate in focus groups. Data were analysed to develop themes. The findings showed the health literacy levels of parents could be a barrier to raising healthy children in areas of low socioeconomic status, as parents may lack the necessary health knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices. Parents did not know how to address the lack of sport and recreation opportunities in their environment that affected the physical and social health of their children. They understood, however, that parental involvement is a critical requirement for any school programme on health to succeed and called for unity amongst parents, learners and teachers to address health issues related to their children. However, the lack of research about the health literacy of parents is a gap in the field and is an area that could be researched further, specifically the development of programmes to educate parents more on health literacy for themselves and their children. Training material, such as pamphlets provided to parents by the Department of Education, would help to broaden their knowledge, skills and perception with regard to health literacy.