IJCM_363A: Assessment of Health Promoting Physical Environment in Schools of Raipur City

Abstract

Background: The schools physical environment refers to all school buildings, indoors and outdoors. A healthy school environment can directly improve children’s health and effective learning. Understanding the variations in the physical infrastructure of schools becomes crucial for educators, parents and policy makers. Objective: To assess health promoting physical environment in schools of Raipur City. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in schools of Raipur City to assess health promoting physical school environment. Total 132 schools, 66 each from government and private were selected using stratified random sampling. Observation checklist was used for assessing based on the standards set for health promoting schools. Results: Majority, 98% of government and 74% of private schools had play area. Adequate lighting & separate toilets for boys and girls were present in majority schools. Clean drinking water was available only in 30% of government schools and 62% of private schools. Dustbins were provided in 30% of government and 60% of private schools. Toilets were clean only in 38% of government schools and 71% of private schools. Unhealthy food was available to purchase nearby in 45% government and 39% private schools and Outlets for tobacco/ alcohol were present nearby in 4% government schools and 1.5% private schools. Posters against Alcohol/Tobacco were displayed in 7.6% of government schools and none of the private schools. Conclusion: A score of 0-5 was achieved by 61% of government and 39% of private schools, 6-11 score was achieved by only 39% of government and 61% of private schools. Thus the physical school environment score of private schools was found to be higher as compared to that of government schools. However study findings recommended schools to improve their physical environment in order to achieve better health and effective learning among children.