Integrated school health implementation constraints: an inquiry into the Ekurhuleni Health and Education system

Abstract

This study identifies the Integrated School Health Programme’s implementation constraints in (Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Southern Region), and describes how these constraints have affected the implementation of school health services. This predominantly qualitative study employed the structured interview-based research design and focus group discussion approaches, with the target population consisting of school health nurses and educators working with them in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Southern Region. The criterion-referenced sampling strategy was opted for, because of the researcher’s knowledge of the research environment. The focus group discussions, structured interviews and participant observations complement the study’s data collection methods. The principal findings depicted the Integrated School Health Programme was not as effective as expected in its implementation. The main constraints were identified as lack of resources and knowledge; and poor teamwork of the Department of Health, the Department of Basic Education, and parents. Emanating from these findings, the study recommends innovative collaboration mechanisms between the two government departments, and that relevant and sufficient resources should be allocated for effectively implementing the Integrated School Health Programme.