Spanish Town

Researchers are evaluating health behaviors and school policies among adolescents aged 13 to 17 in secondary cities of four low- and middle-income countries. The study aims to use health information collected through school surveys to empower students, teachers, and local authorities to improve health policies and programs. This cluster randomized trial includes 30 schools, with half randomly assigned to receive the intervention and half serving as control schools. The intervention includes interactive workshops facilitated by WHO and trained local personnel. These workshops use the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents Global AA-HA approach to identify health needs, assess existing policies, and prioritize actions to improve health. Behavioral and school-level interventions will be developed based on baseline data and implemented over two years in 15 schools, while the other 15 schools continue without intervention. Participants will complete baseline and follow-up surveys after two years using the Global School-based Student Health Survey GSHS and Global School Health Policies and Practices Study G-SHPPS. The study will measure changes in behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco use, diet, drug use, physical activity, mental health, sexual behavior, hygiene, protective factors, and violence. Monitoring and evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the implemented actions during the study period ending in 2027.