Development of Health Education Teaching Model for Highland Area Middle Schools in Honghe Prefecture

Background and Aim: Due to the challenging living environment, underdeveloped economic conditions, and limited educational resources in highland regions, such as the Honghe highlands, the health and well-being of young students require greater attention. Moreover, there was a noticeable gap in localized health education curricula that considered the unique cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic contexts of highland areas in Honghe Prefecture. As a result, middle school students in these regions lack the proper health knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to improve their overall well-being. To enhance the health levels of students in these areas, it is essential to improve health awareness, cultivate positive health behaviors, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, this research aims to develop a health education teaching model for highland area middle schools in Honghe Prefecture. Materials and Methods: This research utilized a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research. To study the current situation of the implementation of health education teaching in middle schools in the highland areas, the study distributed a total of 375 questionnaires to 9th-grade students in middle schools in the highland areas of Honghe Prefecture, interviewed 7 teachers in middle schools in the highland areas of Honghe Prefecture, the students' questionnaires and interview outlines passed the IOC test of 5 experts, IOC=0.94 (0.60-1.00), IOC=0.91(0.80-1.00), and finally constructed a model of the health education curriculum in the highland areas of Honghe Prefecture. Two rounds of Delphi involved 19 experts. The focus group method was used to determine the health teaching model through 9 experts. The data obtained from the questionnaire are analyzed using the average and standard deviation. Consensus data are evaluated using the median and interquartile range, with a criterion of a median ≥ 3.50 and an interquartile range ≤ 1.50. Results: A health education teaching model for highland area middle schools in Honghe prefecture was developed, which included 9 first-level indicators, namely, school management, program objectives, educational content, teaching methods, effectiveness evaluation, resources and materials, teacher support, implementation strategy, and student learning attitude. 24 second-level indicators and 54 third-level indicators. Conclusion: The health education teaching model for highland area middle schools in Honghe prefecture is both innovative and valuable. This teaching model can effectively enhance students’ understanding of and ability to address health challenges specific to the plateau environment, promote their physical and mental well-being, and foster healthy habits for adapting to life in high-altitude regions.