Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health promotion is a modern concept for public health improvement applied in different fields of community life. By the international network of Health promoting schools the school community acquires a main role to reach the potential of this concept. The aim of this paper is to draw a parallel between the main principles of the concept and its actual fulfilment in Bulgarian school. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A comprehensive medico-social survey over representative sample of schools in Pleven district has been conducted. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire among 78 school nurses, 30 health promotion experts, 279 teachers, 519 students, 374 parents; interview with school principals and documental review. Data analysis and interpretation were consistent with the concept of Health Promoting School. RESULTS: The study found safety school environment with strict control over its physical components. There is a necessity of better opportunities for sports and nutrition services in about of two thirds of schools. Over 90% of school staff and about two thirds of students report high level of stress which requires attention to the emotional and social well-being at school. A correlation between higher satisfaction of staff with their career and occupational settings and evaluation of school environment as safety has been established (p<0.005). School health education doesn’t correspond with information needs of students according to 80% of the respondents. Behavior risk factors are widely distributed among students (48,2% tobacco smoking; 36,6% physical inactivity) and start at early age. There is positive attitude for family-school partnership but there are some difficulties to fulfill it. CONCLUSION: The study results like the international experience show both success and difficulties to put this concept into practice. Keywords: behavior risk factors, health education, health promotion, school health promotion model

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