The participation of members of Lithuanian school communities in the process of health promotion among students in grades 9 and 10

This thesis aims to assess the participation of the members of Lithuanian school communities in the process of health promotion at school among students in grades 9 and 10. A cross-sectional study was carried out via an anonymous survey, with questionnaires distributed among over 8000 students, their parents, teachers, and other school employees. This thesis examines various factors of the participation of community members in the process of student health promotion, such as: their attitudes towards the health promotion process and their levels of participation; their self-assessments of their own participation; their cooperation in the process of student health promotion; their expectations regarding their participation; the factors hindering their participation; and the need for information regarding student health promotion. This thesis also assesses the associations between being a member of a health promoting school (HPS) community in Lithuania and the prevalence of harmful habits among community members, as well as their attitudes towards HPSs. Whilst the majority of the respondents had a positive attitude towards the process of student health promotion at school (they were interested in information on the topic, were inclined to be more active participants, and expressed positive expectations regarding their participation), the study found that the level of participation and cooperation among members of the school communities in the process of health promotion was insufficient. Lack of time, inclination, and knowledge were quoted as the main reasons hindering participatio