Health locus of control beliefs among school children

The purpose of the present study is to measure Children Health Locus of control (CHLC) beliefs among school children using the scale developed by Abdel-Gawwad et al. (1999) to test the differences of the beliefs by children's some sociodemographic characteristics and Body Mass Index (BMI). A cross sectional study design was applied using a stratified random sample of 1500 pupils from the final two grades of primary and all grades of the preparatory schools. The scale consisted of 25 statements with a 4-point Likert format. Body mass index was also calculated. From data analysis 15% of the pupils were obese. The mean score of internality increase with increasing age also powerful others' mean score increase with increasing age till the age of 11 - < 12 years and decrease again till the age14 - < 15 years. Chance's mean score decreases with increasing age till the age 14 - < 15 years. Self blame and fate subscales showed irregular decrease with increasing age. Girls had significantly higher mean score of fate subscale than boys (F = 10.67, p < 0.01). Boys had significantly higher mean score of total CHLC scale than girls (12.68, p < 0.01). Obese pupils had significantly higher mean scores of internality and total CHLC scale than non obese pupils (t = 2.58, 2.02, p < 0.05, respectively). Obese pupils had significantly lower mean scores of powerful others, chance and self blame (t = 2.09, 16.51, 2.00, p < 0.05, 0.01, 0.05, respectively). Total CHLC mean scores increased with increasing mother's education (F = 8.99, p < 0.01). Chance mean score decreased with increasing mother's education (F = 11.43, p < 0.01). Total CHLC mean scores increased with increasing father's education (F = 7.6, p < 0.01). Powerful others mean score decreased with increasing father's education (F = 4.42, p < 0.01). Pupils from private schools had higher mean scores of chance and total CHLC (t = 7.0, 7.26, p < 0.01, respectively). They also had lower powerful others and fate mean scores (t = 4.19, 3.17, p < 0.01, respectively). Measuring CHLC beliefs to plan health education programs according CHLC scores is highly recommended.