English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Majority of the health problems of school children can be prevented by promotion of hygiene and sanitation through health education of school children, teachers and parents. OBJECTIVES: 1. To find out the status of personal hygiene among the primary school children. 2. To study the nutritional and morbidity profile of the school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among primary school students in rural area of Khammam district, A.P. RESULTS: the study included 180 primary school children (105 boys and 75 girls). The status of personal hygiene was better among girl as compared to boys when it came to clean and combed hairs (82.66 vs. 66.66% , p<0.05), clean clothes (94.66% vs.79.04%, p<0.05), clean teeth (89.33% vs.80.95% , p<0.05), use of soap for hand washing at school (86.66% vs.72.38%, p<0.05), hand washing after toilet (93.33% vs. 80.95%, p<0.05). Anemia (43.88%) and malnutrition (31.66%) was found to be common among the school children. CONCLUSIONS: The government health services should regularly undertake school health checkup and health education session in the schools for a wider coverage. Periodic appraisal of school staff and parents of the school students needs to be undertaken in aspects of health of the children.