Effectiveness of a Physician-Led Comprehensive School Health Promotion Programme on Health Literacy, Lifestyle Behaviours and Mental Well-being among School Students: A Prospective Interventional Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Received: 21-08-2026 Revised: 07-09-2026 Accepted: 10-09-2026 Background: Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries face a rising burden of unhealthy lifestyles, inadequate health literacy, and mental distress, yet physician-led comprehensive school health programmes remain unevaluated. We assessed the effectiveness of a physician-led comprehensive school health promotion programme on health literacy, lifestyle behaviours, and mental well-being among secondary school students in Central India. Methods: A prospective pre–post interventional study was conducted in four coeducational schools (government and private) within the catchment area of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Students aged 11–18 years (n=327) completed a 12-week, 12-session programme delivered by a consistent physician team covering health literacy, nutrition, physical activity, mental health, digital health, hygiene, adolescent health, and disease prevention. The primary outcome was health literacy measured by the Health Literacy for School-Aged Children (HLSAC) instrument. Secondary outcomes included WHO-5 well-being index, knowledge score, self-reported physical activity, dietary habits, screen time, sleep duration, and BMI. Paired t-tests, McNemar’s tests, and multivariable linear regression were used. Results: Mean health literacy score increased significantly from 25.4±5.8 to 30.2±5.3 (mean difference 4.8; 95% CI 4.3–5.3; p<0.001), alongside gains in knowledge (4.6 points) and WHO-5 well-being (3.3 points). The proportion of students meeting physical activity recommendations rose from 28.1% to 42.2%, daily fruit/vegetable consumption from 11.0% to 24.2%, and screen time within limits from 34.9% to 48.9% (all p<0.001). Lower baseline health literacy, higher session attendance, and better baseline mental well-being independently predicted greater literacy gain. Overall satisfaction exceeded 94%, with 96.6% willing to recommend the programme. Conclusion: A physician-led comprehensive school health promotion programme significantly improved health literacy, lifestyle behaviours, and mental well-being in Indian adolescents, demonstrating high acceptability and feasibility. Integrating such programmes into school health services could strengthen adolescent preventive care and advance the Health Promoting Schools agenda.
Authors: Heena Nazir, Dr Shania Bashir Dar, Suriya Sofi
Language: English
Subfield: Speech and Hearing
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7214699475