A Comparative Study of Health Knowledge, Health Attitude and Health Behavior Based on the Hours of Health Education in Middle School Students

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare health knowledge, health attitude and health behavior of middle school students based on the hours of health educational parameters imparted. Methods: After obtaining informed consent from participants, data were collected from 474 middle school students attending three different schools. The questionnaires were developed based on previous studies and four authorized health textbooks. Data were analyzed using -test, t-test, ANOVA and ANCOVA. Results: The scores of 34-hour or 17-hour regular health education group were higher than those of 0-hour regular health education group in the areas of health knowledge and health attitude. In contrast the score of health behavior showed no significant difference among the three groups. Conclusion: The course of regular health education should be included as an essential one rather than as a selective option in the curriculum, and 34-hour regular health education is needed for all primary, middle, and high school students who are about to developing lifelong health habits, in order to have them gradually acquire sound education of health knowledge, health attitude, and health behavior.