Effectiveness of Health Education on Nutrition and Hygiene Among School-going Adolescents in Hyderabad, India: A Pre- and Post-interventional Study

Introduction: Malnutrition and inadequate hygiene are major public health challenges globally. The current study assessed the effectiveness of nutrition and hygiene education among school-going adolescents in Hyderabad, Telangana. Materials and Methods: A pre- and post-interventional study was conducted in July 2024 across three government schools in Hyderabad. A total of 223 students from classes 8–10 participated, with 213 completing the post-intervention assessment. The intervention included health education sessions, participatory activities and classroom discussions. Pre- and post-intervention data were compared using paired t -test and Chi-square test. Results: The Intervention led to significant improvements in students’ knowledge, attitude and practice scores. Awareness of balanced diet increased from 8.9% to 61% ( P < 0.01). Students consuming balanced diets increased from 10.7% to 40.8%, while those avoiding packed or fried foods increased from 9.4% to 22.5% ( P < 0.01). Hygiene practices also improved; the percentage of students brushing twice a day increased from 8.9% to 19.7% ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: The targeted school-based interventions significantly improve students’ knowledge and practices and promote healthier lifestyles among students.