The Survey on the Physical School Environmental Health Conditions in Kazeroon From 2013 to 2014: An Analytical Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: The intellectual capability and personalities of children, who form the future of a nation, develop in elementary school. The educational organizations help students get rightful education and guidance and to grow up happily. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the health status of elementary schools in the city of Kazeroon, Fars Province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This research attempted to measure the physical environmental health conditions of 41 elementary schools in the educational district of Kazeroon. We used a questionnaire consisting of 88 questions prepared by Iranian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Data were collected by interview with school administrators and health instructors and analyzed using SPSS, version 18 and Chi-square test. Results: According to the results obtained, 85% of the schools were equipped with fan or air condition. In addition, 17% of the schools had separate labs and the rest used school health room as a lab. The environmental health conditions in none of the school pantries complied with the article 13 of the law on food, beverage and cosmetics, in addition to lacking the basic principles of the physical school conditions. Conclusions: Many elementary schools in Kazeroon have urgent needs for restrooms, drinking water fountains, emergency exit ways, and maintenance of old buildings. The problem mostly arises from the lack of information of the school’s administrators and health instructors with the standard requirements for school environmental health quality. Therefore, it is highly recommended to upgrade the physical and school environmental health conditions, and increase awareness and update the knowledge of the education authorities about the school environmental health condition. A close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education is recommended to solve the health problems in the schools in order to prevent diseases and injuries to the health of the students.