Questions were extrapolated from the surveys and formed the basis of the focus groups. Focus groups were held with students, parents, teachers, staff and community members. Each focus group was audio-taped and transcribed verbatim onto computer discs. The focus groups enhanced the information obtained in the surveys. Also, appropriate descriptive statistics were used such as measures of central tendency, variability, and frequency distributions.
Preliminary findings suggest different health priorities between the groups.
The School Health Environment was the highest priority among parents while School Health Services was the highest priority among teachers and staff members at the middle school. The findings were helpful in program planning and intervention development in the health needs of middle school students.