THE NOMINAL GROUP PROCESS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE HEALTH INTEREST OF ETHIOPIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The health interest of 114 Ethiopian students and 28 teachers in a secondary school in an Ethiopian town was studied by nominal group process. Accordingly, the leading topics of interest to the students were mental health, endemic infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases and cancer. Contrary to their pupils, teachers ranked liver diseases and endemic infectious diseases as their priority of health interest, but ranked mental health lowest. Gender differences in the choice of health topics were apparent among the students. To a certain extent, the health concerns of the students reflect the health problems prevalent in their community. As a technique, the study confirms the utility of the nominal group process institutions where simple and rapid methods of identification of health interest are sought.