Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 12 (2024)</span>Volume 12 (2024)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 11 (2023)</span>Volume 11 (2023)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 10 (2022)</span>Volume 10 (2022)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 9 (2021)</span>Volume 9 (2021)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 8 (2020)</span>Volume 8 (2020)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 7 (2019)</span>Volume 7 (2019)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 6 (2018)</span>Volume 6 (2018)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 5 (2017)</span>Volume 5 (2017)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 4 (2016)</span>Volume 4 (2016)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 3 (2015)</span>Volume 3 (2015)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 2 (2014)</span>Volume 2 (2014)
Collapse <span class="m110 colortj mt20 fontw700">Volume 1 (2013)</span>Volume 1 (2013)
American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016, 4(2), 42-46
DOI: 10.12691/AJPHR-4-2-1
Original Research

The Status of School Health Services: A Comparative Study of Primary Schools in a Developing Country

Osuorah DI Chidiebere1, , Ulasi O Thomas1, Ebenebe Joy1, Onah K Stanley1, Ndu K Ikenna2, Ekwochi Uchenna2 and Asinobi N Isaac2

1Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Anambra

2Department of Paediatrics, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State

Pub. Date: February 02, 2016
Full Text PDF

Cite this paper

Osuorah DI Chidiebere, Ulasi O Thomas, Ebenebe Joy, Onah K Stanley, Ndu K Ikenna, Ekwochi Uchenna and Asinobi N Isaac. The Status of School Health Services: A Comparative Study of Primary Schools in a Developing Country. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2016; 4(2):42-46. doi: 10.12691/AJPHR-4-2-1

Abstract

Background- The school health service is an important aspect of health delivery systems necessary to monitor the health of school children in other to keep them healthy and optimize their learning. Aims- This cross-sectional and descriptive study tried to ascertain the status of the school health services in 56 randomly selected schools using the school health programme evaluation scale. It also compared the extent of implementation of school health services in both private and public primary schools in Nnewi North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra state, Nigeria. Results- School health service is existent in the Nnewi North LGA but its implementation is suboptimal in both private and public schools. Significantly more private schools had treatment facilities within school premises (P=0.001), although routine screening of school pupils was done by more public schools (P=0.001). Overall, private schools had a significantly higher mean score (13.6±4.3 vs. 8.8±2.5) in criteria assessing school health services compared to public schools (P=0.001). Conclusion- School health service activities are present in Nnewi North LGA but implementation is suboptimal in both private and public schools. Effective policy with good monitoring and evaluation is imperative in ensuring adequate and optimal implementation of school health services in primary schools in Nnewi.

Keywords

school health service, public schools, private schools, Nnewi North, Nigeria

Copyright

Creative CommonsThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References

[1]  DD Allensworth et al. School health services. Journal of School Health. 1995: 65(8); 319.
 
[2]  World Health Organization 2015. School and Youth Health: What is a health promoting school? Available from http://www.who.int/school_youth_health/gshi/hps/en/.
 
[3]  Dilley J. School-based Health Interventions and Academic Achievement Washington State Department of Health September 2009.
 
[4]  McCord M, Klein J, Foy J, Fothergill K. School-based clinic use and school performance. Journal of Adolescent Health, 1993; 14(2): 91-98.
 
[5]  Sallis J, McKenzie T, Kolody B, Lewis M, Marshall S, Rosengard P. Effects of health-related physical education on academic achievement: Project SPARK. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1999; 70(2): 127-134.
 
[6]  National Population Commission. Population and Housing Census 2006- Priority table volume IV, Abuja 2010.
 
[7]  Health Services Department. Health Establishment records, Nnewi North LGA, 2008.
 
[8]  Ministry of Education, Anambra State. Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board Records, 2008.
 
[9]  Akani NA, Nkanginieme KEO. The school health programme. In: Azubuike JC, Nkanginieme KEO, eds. Pediatrics and child health in a tropical region. Owerri: 2nd Ed. 2007; 52-54.
 
[10]  Majra J, Gur A. School environment and sanitation in rural India. Public health research J, 2002:2:109-111.
 
[11]  BO Toma, T Oyebode, GIO Toma, E Agaba. School Health Services in primary schools in Jos, Nigeria. Open Science Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2014; 2(3): 83-88.
 
[12]  Charles E. Basch. Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap. Campaign for Educational Equity Teachers College, Columbia University, March 2010.