School health services
Objectives of school health program:health promotion of school children, prevention and control of health hazards, and rehabilitation of the handicapped.
The school child is the subject of special consideration for many reasons:-
This group is of vital importance to the health of the community, They constitute a sizeable segment of the population.School children are subject to the risks and dangers of communicable diseases.
They undergo the stresses and strains of growth and development.
The physical, mental and emotional stresses should always be considered. Unsanitary environmental hazards are gaining lots of attention due to its impact on health.
There is close relationship between health and education: “Education is fundamental to health and health is vital for efficient education”. Supervision of health in schools needs to be comprehensive and continuous.
Targets of School Health:-
Creation of a suitable environment for healthy development. To have a clear picture of the health conditions of students and employees through various types of medical inspection and evaluation. The early discovery of deviations from normal, and the application of prompt corrections. Training of scholars in health habits through efficient programs of health education. Care for the handicapped, maladjusted or crippled .Program of School Health :
1. Health Promotion. 2. Prevention of health hazards. 3. Medical Care . 4. Health Education.
Health Promotion:
Adequate nutrition, Sanitary school environment, Meeting the needs for mental development (emotional & behavioral adjustment ), Physical fitness and activities, ( for musculoskeletal development ) Prevention of mental fatigue, Social activities and recreation.SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT:
Value of Sanitary Environment: Basic preventive measure of communicable diseases. Contributes to health promotion . Provides feeling of comfort, and enhances educational achievement. Draws good example of clean environment.Objectives medical examination: Case-finding, specially of unapparent disease ,
Assessment of health status of school children, ( planning and evaluation of school health services.) Primary examination at school entry ( baseline for follow-up of health status ), Health education and guidance of students,Medical Care :
1. includes:- - comprehensive medical examination, - screening tests, - clinical (curative) service, and - survey studies.2. Screening Tests: They are simple tests which can be carried out frequently to: -To screen for certain pathological conditions or diseases. -To screen suspected cases of disease, who need further investigation for final diagnosis. Examples of screening tests include: - weight and height, - visual acuity, - acuity of hearing, - IQ testing, and - dental examination.
3. Clinical Service: School health units, referrals to specialized clinics, referrals to hospitals for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Some cases may need specialized diagnosis or/and management.
4.Survey Studies:Occasionally required for investigation of a particular disease or health problem, specially when precise data are not available,( e.g. nutritional deficiency and parasitic diseases, and handicapping conditions).Objective of survey study:- to find out ecological data (host – agent – environment) -or health problem under study, (which are needed for planning and evaluation of prevention and control programs).
5- Handicapping conditions: May be congenital or acquired. Children with minor or mild cases of disability can attend regular schools, Severe forms (e.g. the deaf, blind, or mentally retarded) can attend special institutes.
School Health Record: Each school child should have his own health record, for registration of events and activities related to health. Contents of Record: - Personal and social data. - Results of health examinations. - Immunizations /date/age. - Any morbidity, and management record.
Value of Health Record: -For reference whenever registered health data are needed; e.g. past medical history to assist diagnosis of existing disease. -Allows follow-up of chronic disease. -Collecting statistical data and indices of school children, ( for future planning and evaluation of health services).
Role of Teacher: - Screening suspected cases through supervision of the students in the classrooms. - Participation in health education program. - Supporting mental health promotion.