Dissemination and implementation of school health policy in rural Nigeria: Perceived strengths of stakeholders

Abstract

Strengths enhance the dissemination and implementation of school health policy in order to promote the health, wellbeing and academic performance of school children. These have not been achieved for several reasons largely due to the ineffective dissemination and implementation of school health policy, health and educational inequalities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the perceived strengths of stakeholders with regard to the dissemination and implementation of a school health policy in rural Nigeria. Exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used to obtain data from participants purposively selected for the study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with key role-players and data saturation was achieved after interviewing twenty-four participants. The targeted population consisted of directors involved in the promotion of school health (trained teachers and healthcare professionals) and representatives of developmental partners (UNICEF) working in the aforementioned ministries in rural Nigeria. Ethical clearance was requested and obtained from the North-West University before data collection and analysis (Reference: NWU-00633-18-A9). Principles of credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability were observed to ensure trustworthiness of this study. Thematic analysis as well as Atlas ti, Version 8.0 were used to analyse data. Two themes emerged from the study as follows: perceived existing structures; and strategies recommended by stakeholders. Participants believed there are existing strengths that could be used to achieve the objectives of school health. Thus, it is important for stakeholders to explore avenues on how to utilise available strengths.