Public Primary School Children Research Articles

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Public Primary School Children in Nigeria: Prevalence and Nomenclature

Objective. This study sought to add to the body of information on the prevalence and pattern of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) among school aged children in Cross River State, Nigeria.Method. A cross-sectional survey of children in public primary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria, was studied for VKC. Five schools were included, using a multistage sampling technique. Comprehensive eye examinations were conducted in one thousand two hundred and twenty-six (1226) school children.Main Outcome Measures/Results. The mean age of the population of 1226 school attending children was9.62±2.324. The prevalence of VKC was 18.1% in this population study. The ratio of males to females is 1.8 : 1. The clinical grading of the 223 children with VKC is as follows: 43 (19.3%) quiescent, 134 (60.1%) mild, 44 (19.7%) moderate, and 2 (0.9%) severe VKC. The clinical types reported are as follows: limbal 67 (30.0%), tarsal 105 (47.1%), and mixed 51 (22.9%). The clinical types were used to describe a modified nomenclature.Conclusions. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a commonly occurring chronic condition and an important public health problem. A simple diagnostic nomenclature for describing VKC for primary health care workers is recommended.

Familial Dysfunctionality and School Going Children’s Behavioural Problems

Aim: The study examined the relationship between familial dysfunctionality and school going children conduct behavior problems. The variables were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Study Design: This study is a descriptive survey. It adopted expo-facto design. It mwas carried out in Delta State of Nigeria. Public primary schoolchildren in Abraka metropolis formed the sample for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 145 pupils. The researcher interacted with the pupils, explained the content of the research. Subsequently the pupils were guided to fill the questionnaire whenever they did not understand the items. A validated questionnaire titled “Familial dysfunctionality and conduct behavioural problems among school going children” was used to collect data. Mean, t-test, regression statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Findings showed that Familial dysfunctionality has significant relationship with conduct behaviour among school going children. Secondly, significant differences exist among respondents based on class level and gender. Lastly there is no significant difference based on school type. Reccomendations: The study recommended that self building packages be developed by counselors to assist victims of domestic violence.

Nutritional status and sociodemographic characteristics of ‘urban poor’ school children in Onitsha, Southeast Nigeria

Background: The neglect of the health and nutritional status of school aged children has adverse consequences on their long term cognition and survival. Sequel to emerging issues on urbanization and the health ofschool children, this study focused on the nutritional status and sociodemographic characteristics of ‘urban poor’ school children inOnitsha, a major city in South East Nigeria.Objectives: The study was aimed at determining the nutritional status and evaluating the effect of certain sociodemographic factors on the nutritional status of ‘urban poor’ public primary school children in Onitsha, South East NigeriaMethod: This was a cross sectional study of 788 children aged 6 to 12 years, randomly selected from 12 public primary schools in Onitsha metropolis. Their anthropometric measures were used to determine their nutritional status. Data on their sociodemographic characteristics was obtained from their parents or caregivers using interviewer administered standardized questionnaires. Analysis was done using Microsoft Office Excel2007, SPSS version 17 and Epiinfo version 3.5.1 software packagesResults: Stunting was the predominant form of under nutrition with ahigher prevalence in the slum resident children. Greater than 60% ofall the children studied were from large families with more than 4 children. Family size, however, age and gender were not significantly associated with the nutritional status of the children. Relatively though, a greater percentage of the stunted children were from large families.Conclusion: The nutritional status of ‘urban poor’ school children especially in slums in Onitsha is suboptimal compared with their counterparts in developed countries of the world. There is need for regional studies of children with similar characteristics who should be considered when favourable health policies are being made for children.

Feeding Pattern and Health Challenges of Nigerian Primary School Children in a Southeastern Urban Centre

Aims: To document the feeding pattern of public primary school children, with emphasis on thestaple diet and skipped meals;and the influence of diet and certai n maternal demographic characteristics on their health and nutritional status. Study Design: This was a cross sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study:The study was done in Onitsha, Anambra state, South East Nigeria between September and December, 2010 Methodology: This was a cross sectional descriptive study with multistage sampling of 804 children aged 6 to 12years from 12 public primary schools in the area. Selection was based on the age and gender distribution i n each school. Verbal and written explanation was given to the parents/care givers who were invited to the schools to respond to interviewer administered questionnaires. Information was obtained on the feeding pattern of their children and maternal demogra phic characteristics. The children of those who responded, thereafter, had their heights measured and were assessed for clinically obvious morbidities. Information obtained on the age of respondents was verified from

Heavy metal burdens of public primary school children in Ibadan north-west local government area, Nigeria related to playground soils and classroom dusts

Heavy metal burdens of public primary school children in Ibadan north-west local government area, Nigeria related to playground soils and classroom dusts

Flat foot and associated factors among primary school children: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Prevalence of flat foot and its associated personal characteristics among public primary school students was investigated. This cross-sectional study involved 474 public primary school students (253 females and 221 males) between the ages of 6 and 10 years. Flat foot diagnosis was made using Staheli plantar index (PI), where values >1.15 were indicative of flat foot. The number of children diagnosed with flat foot was 106, yielding a prevalence rate of 22.4%. Flexible flat foot accounted for 93 (87.7%) of the positive diagnoses, whereas bilateral flat foot was present in 97 (91.5%) of the cases. There was a significant relationship between higher prevalence of pes planus and older age, with the 6-year-old group showing the highest prevalence. Boys were twice as likely to be diagnosed with flat foot as girls, and obese participants were three and a half times more likely to have flat foot compared with those of normal weight. In summary, about one in every five public primary school children aged 6–10 years would be diagnosed with flat foot anomaly, and obesity further increased the risk. Preregistration flat foot screening, and periodic observation for onset of symptoms of progression, should be made available for primary school children.

Perceived Discrimination and Subjective Well-being among Urban Migrant Children: The Effect of Mediator and Moderator

According to the recent statistics by Chinese government, there are more than 43 million children who migrated with their parents from rural areas to cities, and the number still keeps growing (Floating population division of national population and family planning commission, 2010). Existing literature suggests that perceived discrimination is a critical factor in the adaptation of migrant children to the city and school life, and that many migrant children had experienced some form of discrimination. For more than half a century, psychologists have examined discrimination primarily from the perspective of the members of dominant social groups. Recently, attention has turned to how potential targets of discrimination construe their predicaments and the effect of perceived discrimination on psychological adaptation. The majority of research has found that perceived discrimination has negative effect on well-being. Other lines of research conducted within a feedback-oriented paradigm have suggested that perceived discrimination has indirect positive effect on well-being. In order to providing a deeper understanding of the complexity of perceived discrimination, the rejection-identification model (RIM) was proposed as a theoretical framework to specify both positive and negative consequences of perceived discrimination. While the RIM has provided new insights and elucidated several key pathways in the formation of subjective well-being, it still needs to be improved with incorporating current theory. Based on the refinement of the RIM, this study aimed to explore the mediating effects of in-group identity and perceived group status on therelationship between perceived discrimination and subjective well-being, and to examine the moderating role of belonging need on the mediating effects. Totally, 1551 migrant children from public schools and migrant children schools in Beijing volunteered to participate in this study. Data of demographic information (i.e., gender, grade, and school type), perceived discrimination, in-group identity (i.e., cognitive identity and emotional identity), perceived in-group status, belonging need, personal and collective subjective well-being were collected through a set of self-administrated questionnaires. The results indicated that the migrant children in public primary schools had higher scores on personal and collective subjective well-being than did those in public middle schools and migrant children schools; compared with girls, boys had higher scores on life satisfaction and lower scores on collective well-being. Perceived discrimination had negative direct effects on the personal and collective subjective well-being of migrant children, and negative indirect effect on the collective subjective well-being via the mediating effects of in-group emotional identity and perceived in-group status. The effects of perceived discrimination on personal and collective subjective well-being differed across the levels of migrant children’s belonging need. For those with higher level of belonging need, perceived discrimination had negative direct effects on the personal subjective well-being, and negative indirect effect via the dual mediating effects of perceived in-group status and collective well-being; it also had negative indirect effects on the collective well-being via the complete mediating effect of perceived in-group status. For those with lower level of belonging need, perceived discrimination had both negative direct effects on the personal subjective well-being and positive indirect effects via the mediating effects of in-group emotional identity and perceived in-group status ; moreover, it had negative indirect effects on the collective subjective well-being via the complete mediating effects of in-group emotional identity and perceived in-group status. Overall, the present study showed that the mediating effects of in-group emotional identity and perceived in-group status on the relationship between perceived discrimination and subjective well-being was moderated by belonging need. And as a result, identifying the conditions of mediating mechanism is very important to fully understand the relationship between perceived discrimination and subjective well-being. We should consider the in-group emotional identity, perceived group status, and the level of belonging need in the prevention and intervention of migrant children’s perceived discrimination.

Nutrition status and associated factors among children in public primary schools in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya

Malnutrition among school-age children is due to inadequacies in one or more of the three main preconditions for good nutrition: food, care and health. Children stunted at school age are likely to have been exposed to poor nutrition since early childhood. Interventions for school age children can supplement efforts to reduce levels of stunting in the preschool years. To assess the nutrition status and associated risk factors of children in selected public primary schools in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi. Descriptive cross sectional design was used. 208 students aged 4-11years of both gender were randomly selected from four public primary schools in Dagoretti Division. Data was collected from school registers and directly questioning the students, parents /guardians. Among the children surveyed, 24.5% were stunted, 14.9% underweight and 9.7% were wasted. There were more boys than girls who were stunted. Breakfast contributed 10.2% of the daily energy intake. Few children consumed foods from more than four food groups. Incidence of diarrhea, colds/coughs increased the risk of stunting and underweight. Consumption of food which is inadequate in required calories and from less than four varieties of food groups by the children were important predictors of malnutrition.

Overweight and obesity among public and private primary school children in Nairobi, Kenya

Obesity is on the rise in developing countries, especially in urban areas. In this study, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two divisions in Nairobi province to determine the prevalence of and some risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among school children in Nairobi, Kenya. It involved 344 school children aged 9-14 years drawn from four randomly selected public and private primary schools. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Nutrition status was determined using the World Health Organization age and gender specific BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ). The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between overweight/obesity and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Complete anthropometric measurements were available for 321 children. Prevalence of combined overweight and obesity (BAZ > +1SD) was 19.0%, with prevalence being higher among girls (21.0%) than boys (16.9%) (p = 0.632). The prevalence among children in private schools was significantly higher (29.0%) than among those in public schools (11.5%) (p = 0.000). In addition, being a single child (p = 0.020), birth order (p = 0.017), mother’s occupation (p = 0.023) and type of residence (p = 0.028) were positively associated with overweight/obesity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity determined in this study is high and is a public health concern, with girls particularly at risk of becoming overweight.

School feeding and educational access in rural Ghana: Is poor targeting and delivery limiting impact?

In an effort to address social imbalances and equity in Ghana's education delivery and to achieve her Education for All (EFA) agenda, some pro-poor programmes have been introduced. Among these is the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) that aims among others, at providing safety nets for the poor, increasing school enrolment in addition to boosting domestic food production. While this programme has been implemented since 2005, there is paucity of information on the experiences of beneficiaries and implementers. The GSFP has been designed as a national programme to feed children in public kindergarten and primary schools, based on a single implementation framework. This single implementation framework does not make room for contextualization of programme implementation and allow the tapping into the knowledge base of both the school and the community in making judgments about who is really needy and who is not. Thus, the study sought to explore the experiences of beneficiaries and implementers of the programme within three rural communities in Ghana, using interviews and observations. Challenges of programme delivery, which include prolonged time spent on serving, eating and cleaning up, counter effective teaching and learning and pose a threat to education quality. There are policy conflicts, funding challenges and issues about targeting and sustainability of the programme. These give credence to the need to understand the local dynamics of poverty and how they affect demand for educational access in rural contexts. The paper finally proffers ways in which insights gained from these experiences can contribute to the current discourse on School Feeding Programmes in the context of developing economies.

Tap into Good Teeth – a Western Australian pilot study of children's drinking patterns

ISSUED ADDRESSED: The increase trend in the prevalence of dental caries in Australian children is a concern to public health professionals. Attitudes, behaviours and lifestyle patterns established in childhood are often carried throughout adult life. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of Perth metropolitan year two public primary school children drinking tap water at home, school and play. It also aimed to explore knowledge and attitudes that children and parents have towards drinking tap water, bottled water, fruit juices and soft drinks. Nine Western Australian government primary schools were recruited. A facilitator-led questionnaire was administered to year two primary school students and a matched parent self-administered questionnaire was also completed. Forty-two per cent of the children in our study reported if thirsty they drank tap (fluoridated) water at home whereas parents stated 60% of children drank tap water at home. The type of drink appeared to vary with time of day/activity while overall water was most frequently drunk; a higher proportion of milk was drunk at breakfast, whereas soft drinks were drunk in a greater proportion while watching television. This study found the vast majority of year two children in metropolitan Perth public primary schools are drinking tap water.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Enuresis in Children

Enuresis is a significant clinical and social disorder in children with associated stigma. To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with enuresis amongst school children in Nigeria. Cross-sectional descriptive study involving public and private primary school children in a local Government area of South West Nigeria. Five primary schools (public and private) were selected through multi-stage sampling technique. A semi - structured questionnaire was administered on the parents of pupils aged 6 years to 12years old respectively. A total of 424pupils were surveyed. Overall 173(40.8%) pupils had enuresis. Prevalence of enuresis was 40.7% in private school and 41% in the public but this difference was not significant (X2 =0.003,p = 0.954). Factors significantly associated with enuresis were snoring (X2 =26.67, p = 0.001), heavy and late supper (X2 =6.831,6.389,p = 0.009, 0.01) respectively. Sibling history of bedwetting (X2=25.933, p = 0.0001), maternal history of enuresis (X2 = 22.244,p = 0.0001,) and {lack of sleep interruptions - (not been woken up to urinate) (X2=5.234,p = 0.02)were also significantly associated. Using logistic regression, maternal history, sibling history of bedwetting, snoring and heavy supper are strong determinants of bedwetting. Enuresis is a common problem among primary school pupils. Intensive public enlightenment is needed. Key words: Enuresis, risk factors, prevalence, children, social-stigma

Visual acuity status of primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

Objective: To assess the visual acuity status of primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria.Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit participants for the study. Socio-demographic data and the ocular history of the pupils were collected using a structured pre-tested researcher administered questionnaire while the alphabet Snellen chart was used to measure their visual acuity. Data analysis was by SPSS version 16 statistical software. Results: A total of 126 school children made up of 56 (44.4%) males and 70 (55.6%) females participated in the study. Fifty (39.7%) had visual complaints made up of 22 (44.0%) pupils with poor distant vision, 20 (40.0%) with poor near vision and 8 (16.0%) with eye pain while reading. Half (50.0%) of the pupils have had visual symptoms in the past and a higher proportion 40 (63.5%) resulted from trauma to the eyes. Majority 103 (81.7%) of pupils had visual acuity of 6/6 or better. There was no statistically significant association between the age group (p = 0.942), sex (p = 0.674), positive family history of visual disorders (p = 0.167) and the visual acuity of the pupils. Conclusion: The prevalence of visual acuity < 6/6 was found to be high among public primary school children in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. There is need for a regular and periodic visual screening in primary schools.

FC31-06 - Recurrent health issues and missed vaccines (immunization) affect the cognitive function in general public primary school children

ObjectivesThe study was aimed to assess the relationship of general health and cognitive function of primary school children in Pakistan.MethodProspective observational study conducted in 2 state and 2 private schools in a small district.ResultsTwo hundred children age 7-12 years class 3, 4 and 5 were assessed using McCarthy scale of child cognition. 11(5.5%) children stated missing some immunization whereas 15(7.5%) found to have recurrent health issues.Healthy children demonstrated better verbal and linguistic skills. (Mean score 3.94 ± 0.85 vs 3.27 ± 1.03, P = 0.004).Similarly children receiving full immunization demonstrated better verbal and linguistic skills (score 3.91 ± 0.87 vs 3.18 ± 0.87, P = 0.01).Mathematical ability was assessed by 3 tests and was scored 1–3. Children with no recurrent health issues demonstrated better mathematical ability (2.56±0.62 vs. 1.93± 0.70, P=&lt; 0.000). Similarly children compliant with immunization demonstrated better mathematical ability (P = 0.02).Reasoning in conversation was assessed on scale of 1-7. Immunization compliant group expressed better reasoning score (P = 0.03).There was no statistical difference between the group with recurrent health issues and the healthy group (P = 0.51).Memory was assessed on a scale of 1–4. Better memory was observed in the immunization compliant group (P = 0.006) whereas no significant difference observed between the healthy group and the group with recurrent health issues (P = 0.51).Gross movements were assessed on a scale of 1–5. The Immunisation compliant and the healthy group demonstrated better performance (P = 0.03 and 0.07) respectively.ResultsThis study demonstrates that missing immunisation and recurrent health problems result in poor cognitive function and school performance.

P01-347-Cognitive function in children. gander specific difference in general public primary school children in pakistan

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to assess the gander specific cognitive function of primary school children in Pakistan.DesignProspective observational study conducted in 4 schools in a small district of Pakistan.MethodTwo hundred children (90 male,110 female), age 7–12 years class 3, 4 and 5 were assessed using McCarthy scale of child cognition. Verbal and linguistic skills, mathematical skills, reasoning in conversation, memory (word, number, picture, past) and Gross fine movements were assessed.ResultsVerbal and linguistic skills: Better skills demonstrated in girls mean score 3.99 SD(0.84), 95% CI (3.81,4.17) when compared to boys mean score 3.81 SD(0.91),95% CI (3.64,3.98).Comparison of two groups did not reach to the statistical significance T = 2.05, P = 0.15.Mathematical abilityGirls mean score 2.66 SD (0.52), 95% CI (2.55,2.77) whereas boys mean score 2.40 SD (0.69),95% CI (2.27,2.53).It was statistically significant T = 8.3,P = 0.004. Reasoning in conversation: Better reasoning among girls demonstrated with mean score 3.90 SD (2.17), 95% CI (3.44,4.36) whereas boys scored 3.47 SD(1.89), 95% CI(3.11,3.83).It was not statistically significant T = 2.19,P = 0.14.MemoryGirls mean score 3.52 SD(0.60),95% CI (3.40,3.65) whereas boys scoring 3.22 SD (0.87) 95% CI(3.05,3.38).It was statistically significant with T = 7.8,P = 0.006.Gross movementsGirls scored 4.29SD(0.75),95% CI (4.13,4.45) whereas boys scoring 4.08 SD(0.91), 95% CI (3.91,4.25).Though better gross movements demonstrated by girls they did not reach to statistical significance T = 2.98,P = 0.08.ConclusionGirls demonstrate better cognitive function in general and there mathematical ability and memory in particle are better than there age and background matched male classmates.

Energy intake from snacks by children in public primary schools in 11 States in Mexico

IntroductionChildren attending public primary schools (PPS) in Mexico spend 4‐6 h at school every day. Some schools offer breakfast but none of them offer lunch.ObjectiveTo evaluate the caloric content of foods and beverages consumed as a snack by children in PPS in Mexico, excluding breakfast.MethodsThe caloric intake from snacks of 309 children in 44 PPS in 11 States in the North, Center and South regions was assessed. Energy content of foods was estimated based on weight and preparation methods. Mean energy intakes were computed and adjusted for sex, age and BMI using linear regression modelsResultsThe average energy intake of children from snacks while at schools was 463 Kcal or 24% of the energy daily recommendations (EDR) for children. Children in the Center region had the highest energy intake (495 Kcal) (p&lt;0.05) compared to the North (396 Kcal) and South (376 Kcal) regions. It was found that 26.9% of children brought foods from home (BFH), 42.5% purchased the foods at scchool (PFE) and the remaining 30.5% did both (MIX). The energy content of the FBH (130 Kcal) was lower (p&lt;0.05) than FPE (249.7 Kcal) and MIX (281 Kcal).ConclusionThe energy contribution of snacks consumed at school is higher that the recommended intake of 15%‐20% of snacks at school. On average, FBH usually have a lower caloric content. These findings call for regulation of the foods and beverages sold in PPS in Mexico.

Food intake pattern of public primary school children in Eleme local government area, River state, Nigeria

Background: The health of an individual is the bedrock for all of life\'s activities. A balanced diet which includes carbohydrates, proteins (macronutrients); fruits, cereals, and vegetables provide vitamins and minerals (micronutrients), which are indispensable for the good condition of the skin and real beauty treatment from within. Hunger evokes restlessness, which is capable of affecting concentration thereby exerting an adverse effect on academic performance. Aim: To examine the food intake pattern of the public primary school pupils within Eleme Local Government Area. Methods: Seven schools were randomly selected. One hundred pupils from each of the schools were purposively selected as the participants of the study. A total of seven hundred male and female participants were selected for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on their food intake. The data were analysed using simple statistics of frequency counts and percentages. Results: The study revealed that the nutritional pattern of the respondents centred on carbohydrate meals predominantly which is only one of the macronutrients. Two hundred out of a total of 700 respondents go to school without breakfast. A gross absence of micronutrients in their meals was observed. Conclusion: The study revealed that the nutritional pattern of the respondents was far from balanced or adequate. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations such as the creation of more awareness on the need to select food from the macro and micro nutrients groups to make up a balanced or adequate diet based on individual\'s socio- economic status among the pupils and the parents was made. Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp.190-196

Awareness and concern about malocclusion among 12-15 year-old children in Moshi, Tanzania

To assess awareness and concern about malocclusion in 12-15 year-olds in Moshi, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study. Moshi Municipality in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Two hundred and ninety eight randomly selected Public primary school children aged 12-15 years (158 males and 140 females). About 56% of the respondents thought their teeth were properly aligned. However only 29.1% of the respondents reported being dissatisfied with the way their teeth appeared in their mouth. About 25% of the respondents found their teeth to have been worse than most of their age-mates. Children who reported to have been teased due to their malocclusion comprised 25.8%. Those who thought it was unpleasant to stay with malaligned teeth constituted 55.7% of the respondents. Subjective orthodontic treatment need was reported by 69.1% of the sample. Majority of the children (75%) were ready to accept orthodontic treatment. There were significant correlations between factors of awareness and those of concern about malocclusion among the subjects. In spite of very little orthodontic treatment exposure in this population, awareness and concern about malocclusion was reported by a significant proportion of the children. These findings form a baseline line for future studies on the trends of awareness and concern towards malocclusion in this population. They will also be useful in the planning of orthodontic services in Tanzania.

A preliminary study of hyperlipidemia in Bangkok school children

As a preliminary study, we determined the serum lipid profiles among primary school children from four Bangkok schools and identified the risk factors and their association with child lipid profiles. We conducted a cross-sectional study using fasting blood samples and food frequency questionnaires. Overall, there were 40% that had hypercholesterolemia with total cholesterol (TC) at > or = 200 mg/dl and high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at > or = 130 mg/dl. Overall, 5.4% had high triglyceride (TG) levels at > or = 150 mg/dl. There was no association between lipid profiles and age, gender or nutritional status, except that higher TG levels were found among obese children than others (p < 0.001). The most popular high fat foods were fried chicken, sausages and cakes, in order of preference. Results from this study indicate that Bangkok public primary school children are facing a problem with hyperlipidemia. Build up discipline in healthy eating habits, healthy food choices and physical exercise should pave the way to healthy Thai kids and growing adults with better quality of life.

Relationship between iodized salt and urinary iodine excretion in school children, Brazil

To evaluate iodine parameters in iodized salt for human consumption and urine excretion of primary school children of two private and public schools. Urine samples of primary school students in a Southeastern urban area, Brazil, were collected, as well as samples of salt for human consumption used at their homes. Iodine level in urine and salt samples were measured to establish a correlation between the iodine concentration in the urine and salt samples. Mantel-Haenszel test was applied to measure the association between salt and urine. Urine iodine biochemical determinations were normal in 92.2% of private school children and 42.6% of public school children. The measurement of iodine in salt for human consumption showed that in 89.9% of public school and 40.9% of private school samples iodine was below the regulated levels. There was a statistically significant inverse association between the variable salt iodine and urine iodine. Iodine levels in salt for consumption were below the regulated by the Brazilian Health Ministry and there was also detected a significant iodine deficiency in the children's urine. Such levels were more drastically affected and were statistically more significant in public primary school children.