RESUMO
Social needs have prompted the development of new teaching methods in which active learning by students is emphasized. Public health education with student participation was introduced in a nursing school. A self-evaluation survey found that students considered these public health lectures good or excellent and were interested in public health and community health nursing. We conducted an analysis with covariance analysis of linear structural equations procedure using SAS statistical software to clarify a relationships among readiness of students, their learning types, and learning satisfaction in public health. A multiple indicator multiple cause model showed that learning satisfaction was associated with readiness for interest in public health, and learning type for self-directed learning. Students satisfied with student-centered public health education felt discouraged about nursing education. Our results suggest that teachers should develop the ability to communicate with students about dissatisfaction in nursing school and to support self-directed learning and tutor-assisted learning in small groups.