Health Education in Primary School Textbooks in Iran in School Year 2010-2011

Objectives: Health education in schools is one of the most effective ways of pro- moting health in a society. Studies have shown the effectiveness of health inter- ventions aimed at improving students’ knowledge, attitude, and behaviors about health issues.The aim of this study was to evaluate health issues in primary school textbooks in Iran. Materials and Methods: In school year 2010-2011, the contents of all primary school textbooks in Iran were assessed in accordance to their health-related teach- ings. Health lessons of these 27 textbooks in the form of picture and text were re- trieved and analyzed using content analysis method. Results: In total, 502 health-related lessons were found. The textbooks of the third grade contained the highest (144) and those of the fourth grade had the low- est (26) number of health lessons. Among health-related issues, the largest number (87) of lessons were about personal hygiene, while prevention of high risk beha- viors comprised the least number (8). Some important health issues such as nutri- tion, oral health, and prevention of high-risk behaviors were not adequately dis- cussed in the textbooks. Conclusion: The potential of primary school textbooks in delivering health mes- sages has been neglected in Iran. Taking the critical importance of school ages in- to account, incorporating health issues in textbooks should be more strongly emphasized