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In 2016, IRIM conducted ‘Baseline study for the Mainstreaming Social Accountability[1] in Mongolia’, which aimed at measuring developments in people’s knowledge and perceptions of social accountability. As a continuation of this work, and for the welfare of the society, in 2017-2018, in collaboration with the World Bank, an evaluation of the ‘National Health Program on prevention and control of disease caused by unhealthy habits’ among adolescents and the youth, was conducted.
According to the National Statistics, in 2016, the death toll related to diseases caused by unhealthy habits was more than 70% (11320 deaths) of total deaths. Therefore, in order to prevent these risks at an early age, the study was conducted among adolescents in the age group of 11 to 15. And the following interesting results were shown:
- During the focus group discussions, 40 children and adolescents assessed their living environment as 4.5 out of 10 in terms of being child-friendly, viz. supporting healthy habits.
- Out of total 462 objects mapped around 6 target schools within an overall radius of 3,000 meters, 47% were marked as red or unfriendly for children and youth - mainly smoking spots, spots selling cigarettes, night clubs, bars, viz. promoting unhealthy habits. Only 15% were marked as green or friendly for physical activities, i.e. promoting a healthy lifestyle.
- And the most importantly the study result showed that children and youth (target group of 11-15 year-olds), who can be considered as relatively healthy population group, are insufficient on prevention, inadequate in mobility and lacking in healthy diet. In particular:
- 70% out of total 2320 children of age 11-15 responded positively on drinking soda beverages and sweeteners in the last week;
- 44% had eaten fast food in the last week;
- 59% have not participated in any form of physical activity in the last month;
- 26% responded that they have smoking classmates.
- A day observation outside 6 schools recorded at least 42 boys smoking nearby the schools during and after classes.
The study also evaluated the implemented programs and policies, and the results showed that financing of the primary level was insufficient. At the level of implementation, the budget allocation should be followed with precise guidelines on the required activities, with measurements of the successes in order to avoid the random, chaotic activities. Such guidelines need to be promoted and nourished in the process of implementation to develop research-based decision-making on all levels.
As a part of our social responsibility, we are delighted that the results of the study has attracted the attention of the public and of the related organizations, and we hope that the study will make a modest contribution in the creation of good habits among the children and the youth. Media reports can be found in the following links:
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Study: Students are less aware of the healthy diet |
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Discussed the external evaluation findings of the children activities outside the classes |
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Need more improvements on the quality of physical education and focus on children activities |
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Children: Lack of support from teachers and parents on physical activities and requests for joining to the sport clubs and trainings |
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An external evaluation findings of the implementation of education policy was presented |
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Schools’ outside environment standards are insufficient |
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Discussed the external evaluation findings of students activities outside of the classes |
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We need to inculcate good habits in children |
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Discussed the external evaluation findings of students activities outside of the classes |
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The external evaluation findings of activities outside of the classes were discussed |
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Сivil society organizations present findings of education policy evaluations |
[1] Baseline Study for the Mainstreaming Social Accountability In Mongolia, 2016, http://www.irim.mn/projects/709
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