Adolescents' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards NCDs: the Impact of a Novel Preventive School-Based Approach

The relevance of addressing the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through school-based approaches targeting early-life risk factors is widely acknowledged, yet evidence on their large-scale implementation and effectiveness remains limited. Students aged 14-15 (n = 176) were surveyed for their knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding NCDs. The questionnaire dealt with the cognitive, affective, and social influences on personal-level decisions. A two-arm quasi-experimental design with baseline and postmeasurement was employed; cases were exposed to a novel school-based approach developed under the Partnerships for Science Education (PAFSE) project; controls were exposed to the topic through traditional teaching-learning methods. The results support that the PAFSE model, based on an open-schooling framework, educational scenarios, and project-based learning, enhanced students' skills and knowledge about NCDs. The findings may inform integrated school policies that support teachers and offer valuable guidance for effective implementation of PAFSE preventive intervention in educational systems.