An Intervention to Promote Adherence to Glasses Wearing Among Urban Public Elementary School Students: Associations With Classroom Behavior

Tania M. Haag, Gabriela Calderon Velazquez, Tresa Wiggins, Paul Spin, Sara B. Johnson, Katherine A. Connor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Glasses wearing at school remains low even when glasses are provided. This study investigated whether a classroom intervention to promote glasses wearing was associated with increased glasses wearing and improved classroom behavior. A pretest, posttest design was implemented with 44 students in Grades 1–4 at an urban public elementary school. Over 5 weeks, teachers encouraged eyeglass wearing through a classroom tracker, verbal reminders, and incentives. Glasses wearing and student behavior were monitored using the Direct Behavior Rating Scale of academic engagement and behavior for 13 weeks, including 4 weeks before and after the intervention. Glasses wearing increased from 56% to 73% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.08, 0.26]) in the first 2 weeks of the intervention, but not after a spring recess. The intervention was associated with significantly improved academic engagement (4.31%, 95% CI [2.17, 6.45]), respect (3.55%, 95% CI [1.77, 5.34]), and disruption (−4.28%, 95% CI [−6.51, −2.06]) compared to baseline. Higher academic engagement and disruption persisted 4 weeks after the intervention ended. A classroom-based glasses tracking and incentive system is associated with improved eyeglass wearing and classroom behavior among elementary students. A longer term randomized trial is needed to confirm these promising results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)387-396
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of School Nursing
Volume38
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2022

Keywords

  • coordinated school health program
  • elementary
  • evidence-based practice
  • health and wellness
  • program development/evaluation
  • school nurse
  • school-based clinics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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