PromotINg BraIn HealTh in PrImAry SchooLs (INITIAL). Attitudes and opinions of primary school children about brain health

Abstract Background Brain health is a new concept with cognitive, mental, motor and sensory dimensions. It is affected by a plethora of determinants across the entire lifespan. Purpose The aim of the study is to shed light on the viewpoints of Greek school pupils on brain health, as assessed with a modified version of the Global Brain Health questionnaire (GBH). Methods The GBH instrument was translated into Greek and modified to be age-adapted. Fifth class pupils of public, primary schools of the metropolitan area of Patras in Western Greece completed the questionnaire. Results The study included 346 pupils of 22 public, primary schools. From a list of potential factors affecting brain health, education and sleeping habits were considered as having the strongest impact, while smoking was thought to exert the least significant impact on brain health. Interestingly, childhood and adolescence were rated as the most critical stages in life for looking after one’s brain health. Nonetheless, school pupils were not well informed about brain diseases. Participants reported consistently high engagement with social and physical activities both on purpose and not for promoting brain health. Most of the participants consciously engaged with activities such as "Devoting time to studies and family" and "Engaging in activities that exercise the mind" to promote brain health and the engagement of girls was higher than boys. Of note, females expressed higher motivation to adopt a brain health promoting lifestyle and this motivation was underpinned by thoughts related to brain health. Conclusion Incorporating gender-sensitive brain health education into school curricula to foster lifelong brain health promoting lifestyle and addressing knowledge gaps are of paramount importance for cognitive, mental, motor and sensory health across the entire lifespan. Such educational programs can make children aware of the fact that many determinants of brain health are ultimately in their hands and in the hands of the communities where they live.