Full Title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the School Nursing Program of the Canary Islands Health Service: A Non-Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Funded by: Fundación Canaria Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Canarias (FIISC)
Granted amount: €12,558.00
Duration: 2 years (2025–2026)
Principal Investigator: Anthea Gara Santos Álvarez
Associated Researchers: Begoña Reyero Ortega, María Ángeles Ferrera Fernández, Francisco Javier Castro Molina, Jesús Manuel García Acosta, Óscar Rey Luque, Néstor Benítez Brito, David Pérez Jorge, Amado Rivero Santana, Miguel Ángel García Bello, Yolanda Ramallo Fariña, Alezandra Torres Castaño, Ana Toledo Chávarri, Ricardo José Pinto Plasencia
Background:
School nursing plays a crucial role in the educational environment by providing immediate and specialized healthcare to students. School Nurses (SNs) not only manage medical emergencies and administer medications but also actively promote healthy habits and disease prevention. Additionally, school nurses collaborate with teachers and parents to address the individual needs of each student, facilitating inclusion and overall well-being. Their presence ensures a safe and healthy setting, significantly contributing to students’ academic performance and holistic development.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of the School Nursing Program currently being piloted by the Canary Islands Health Service and the Regional Ministry of Education in a selection of primary schools in the Canary Islands.
Method:
Phase 1 (Quantitative study): Schools with SNs and over 100 students will be identified. For each of these, a comparable school (within ±20% in student population) will be randomly selected on the same island to serve as a control. Four schools will be selected per group in each of the two capital islands, and up to five schools on non-capital islands. One classroom per primary education cycle will be selected in each school. Parents will be contacted through the schools. A questionnaire will assess healthy lifestyle habits to evaluate the program’s effectiveness, and data on school absenteeism will be collected.
Phase 2 (Qualitative study): Focus groups will be conducted with a subsample of parents and SN professionals to assess the program’s acceptability, identify potential improvements, and capture stakeholders’ perceptions.
Contact person: Anthea Gara Santos Álvarez (anthea.santosalvarez@sescs.es)