School Children In Rural Areas Research Articles

A study on health problems among government primary school children in rural area of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh

Background: “To learn effectively, children need good health” says the World Health Organization’s Expert committee on school health services. Inspite of the primary health care that exists in India, yet it is unable to cover the health needs of school children, especially the primary school children. To know their health status and influencing factors, a study is designed in the rural area of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.Methods: A cross sectional study design was used to assess the health condition of the rural government primary school children at school and socio-demographic data at their home during the period July to December 2016. A sample of 683 children from 20 schools was included in the study. The data was analyzed and inferences were drawn.Results: 38.79% of the rural government primary school children had one or more health problem. Dental problems were found in 21.66% followed by skin problems in 8.05%, nutritional defects in 7.61%, eye disorders in 6.88% and ENT problems in 22.84%. Only 5.42% had good personal hygiene. Majority of the children were poor belonging to the socioeconomic status of class IV (19.62%) and class V (76.60%). 83.39% of the children with health problems had poor housing conditions.Conclusions: More than 2/3rd was found suffering from health problem which was almost equally distributed among boys and girls. The suffering children were almost 95% from lower socioeconomic status and 83% with poor housing conditions.

Dietary habits of school children in rural areas of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Dietary habits of school children in rural areas of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

IEUBK Model to Calculate the Lead Concentration in Blood Children of the Environment which Effect by Lead Emission: Empirical Comparisons with Epidemiologic Data: Developing a Human Health Risk Model to Quantify the Risk Posed by Soil Pb

For decades, human health was threaten (especially that of children) by what considered as a potential sources of lead exposure which are: lead-contaminated water, soil, and air. The proposed of the research involve developing an integrated exposure, uptake, and biokinetic (IEUBK) model as a human health risk model to predict the blood lead levels BLL in children. The data set of this project for human health risk posed by Pb contamination in air, water and soil were obtained from previous study achieved in 2014 which carried out on 108 school children (School children in rural areas (n=76 child) and School children in urban areas (n=32child) matched for age. The environmental samples demonstrated that the concentration of lead for air and soil exceeded the international acceptable threshold values. However, the concentration of lead in water was below the threshold value. The BLL value from currently result of IEUBK model was above the agency’s threshold of concern, 10 μg/dL which was documented as children’s BLL lowest level of concern. This predicted values result of BLL was in agreement with actual value of BLL in blood samples of school children for the chosen study. Also, the results of this research confirmed that the high BLL could be attributed to the high lead level in both air and soil of contaminate environment.

Anthropometric Status among 6⁻9-Year-Old School Children in Rural Areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam.

A double burden of malnutrition in Vietnamese children has emerged as a key challenge: childhood undernutrition remains a public health concern while childhood overweight/obesity has gradually increased. This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and overnutrition among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Vietnam, and (2) identify sociodemographic factors associated with undernutrition and overnutrition in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2016 in 2334 children from eight primary schools in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, and anthropometric failure was 8.0%, 5.1%, 5.3%, and 11.9%, respectively. Up to 22.1% of children were affected by overweight/obesity, and 31.0% by abdominal overweight/obesity. Low maternal education was associated with higher odds of underweight and anthropometric failure, whereas overweight/obesity or abdominal overweight/obesity were more likely in boys and children of mothers with a high education level. This study provides evidence for a double burden of diseases among primary school children in rural areas in Hai Phong City. Future interventions for the prevention and control of childhood undernutrition and overweight/obesity should take into account child sex and maternal education level.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors for hookworm infections among primary schoolchildren in rural areas of Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common type of infections worldwide and are widely distributed in tropical areas. In rural areas of southern Thailand where most land is used for agriculture, children are at risk of acquiring parasites, especially STHs. Assessing the current situation regarding parasitic infection in these areas is a prerequisite for developing appropriate control measures. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, the intensity of STH infections and the associated risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 299 schoolchildren between 7 and 12 years of age was conducted between January and March 2016. A questionnaire administered by direct interviews was used to collect sociodemographic information and data on associated risk factors. Stool samples were processed using direct wet smears, formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation concentration, and the modified Kato-Katz technique.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among the 299 children was 16% (48 of 299), with 32 children infected with hookworms (10.7%), 10 with Blastocystis hominis (3.3%), seven with Giardia intestinalis (1.6%), one with Enterobius vermicularis (0.3%), and one with Trichuris trichiura (0.3%). The hookworm infection intensity, measured by the median eggs per gram (EPG) of stool, was 1200 EPG (Interquartile range (IQR): 360–3200). Most children had light-intensity hookworm infections, but two had heavy-intensity infections. When participants included in the sample were classified by age, children 10–12 years old demonstrated higher intestinal parasite prevalence than those aged 7–9 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.9, P = 0.030). Inadequate handwashing before meals was statistically associated with hookworm infections (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.8, P = 0.037).ConclusionsThis study highlights that hookworms are the most prevalent STH infection in the study area. Older age group (10–12 years) and inadequate handwashing before meals were statistically associated with hookworm infections. Accordingly, appropriate strategies and education on personal and environmental hygiene should be implemented. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of mass drug administration in this area should be further investigated.

Study of common dermatoses in school children of rural area of Dakshina Kannada district, India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Prevalence of skin diseases amongst children of a community is an indicator of health and personal hygiene of a society. School children are more prone for skin infections and majority of them are preventable. Present study aimed to find the common dermatoses in school children of rural area.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 400 children from three randomly selected schools. Socio-demographic data was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire and skin conditions were identified by examination.Results: Out of the total 400 children, 224 (56%) were boys and 176 (44%) were girls. The overall prevalence of skin conditions was 222 (55.5%). Majority (27.5%) had fungal infection, 15% had bacterial infection, 10% had parasitic infection and 3 % had viral infection.Conclusions: Prevalence of skin infections is high in present study, hence creating awareness about personal hygiene among parents, children and teachers is the need of the hour.

Food intake according to the type of food consumed in schools in a rural area in southern Brazil

The scope of the article was to evaluate food consumption according to the type of food consumed in rural schools. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among adolescents enrolled in 12 rural public schools in Canguçu in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The research was linked to the intervention named "Physical Education +: Practicing Health in School." Dietary intake was evaluated using consumption markers from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. The main independent variable was the type of food consumed at school (brought from home, provided by the school free of charge and/or purchased at school). Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were used and the significance level was p<0.05. The study enlisted 526 students, 51.3% female and 88.0% consuming food free of charge. From 15% to 31% of adolescents consumed foods considered unhealthy for more than three days in the preceding week. Students who reported taking a snack to school consumed raw salad, fresh fruit or fruit salad, biscuits/crackers and packet snacks and soft drinks more frequently. It was concluded that the consumption of healthy foods among schoolchildren in rural areas was low and interventions are needed to improve the current situation of inadequate feeding practices.

ユネスコ識字教材開発事業「遠隔地小学校児童のための識字教材開発」の現状と課題

ユネスコ識字教材開発事業「遠隔地小学校児童のための識字教材開発」の現状と課題

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and nutritional status in Ecuador: findings from a national survey and implications for control strategies

ObjectiveThe estimation of prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections at a country-level is an essential prerequisite for the implementation of a rational control programme. The aim of this...

Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies clinically in rural school going children

Background: Micronutrients are those vitamins and minerals required in very small quantities in our bodies which are essential for a number of different functions including growth and development. Micronutrient deficiencies (MD) are the conditions which are prevalent in the society and parents are unaware of the same due to their asymptomatic nature. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of MD in school children in rural area of Kolhapur district.Methods: This prospective study was carried out among 960 school children of, 8 randomly selected Government schools (120 from each school and from each class 30 children) between the age group of 5-10 years in rural Kolhapur, between July-September 2017. Clinical Features of MD for vitamin A (corneal dryness, Bitot’s spot, skin lesions), for vitamin B (angular chelosis, glossitis, knuckle pigmentation), for vitamin C (bleeding gums, scorbutic rosary), for vitamin D (bow legs, rachitic rosary, pot belly, frontal bossing) and pallor, goitre, dental caries for iron, iodine and fluoride deficiency respectively were examined. The data was analysed statistically.Results: The overall prevalence of MD was 35% with 37.45% in girls with highest (40.8%) in the age group of 8-9 years. The features of vitamin deficiency for vitamin B in 30%, for vitamin A in 15%, for vitamin D in 12%, for vitamin C in 2%. The features of mineral deficiency for iron and fluoride in 38.8% and 36.6% respectively were present. Commonest clinical features of vitamin deficiency were glossitis (15.6%), corneal dryness (9.6%), angular chelosis (7.5%) and knuckle pigmentation (6.9%). Multiple MD were seen in 12.7% of children. Conclusions: Rural school children do suffer from MD significantly. These conditions should be timely evaluated as these are preventable and treatable.

Effects of socio-demographic and nutritional status on Peak Expiratory Flow Rates of rural school children in Ilesa, Nigeria

Background: The Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measured using portable peak flow metres (PFM) is a simple, cheap, readily available and reproducible measure of lung functions, particularly in resource-poor settings.Objective: To determine the effects of socio-demographic and nutritional factors on the PEFR of school children in rural areas of Ilesa, Nigeria.Methods: Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select children from middle schools in rural Ilesa. Their socio-demographics, housing conditions and household cooking fuel used were obtained. Anthropometric parameters and nutritional statuses of the children were determined using the WHO reference growth chart. PEFR was measured using the mini Wright PFM. The factors influencing their PEFR were determined.Results: A total of 250 school children aged 8 to 16 years with male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1 were studied. The mean (SD) age was 12.5 (1.5) years. Over 80.0% used unclean fuel for household cooking and one-half lived in overcrowded homes. The prevalence of stunting, underweight and overweight was 22.8%, 30.8% and 3.2% respectively. The mean ± SD PEFR was 248 ± 58.6 L/min which correlated positively with the weight, height, Body Mass Index and Body Surface Area. The mean PEFR was significantly lower among children exposed to unclean fuels (245.4 ± 59.7L/min vs. 292.0 ± 59.4L/min; p = 0.02), stunted males (220.6 ± 44.9L/min vs. 264.1 ± 62.9L/min; p = 0.009) and underweight females (213.2 ± 37.8L/min vs. 247.5 ± 62.6L/min; p < 0.001).Conclusion: Undernutrition and exposure to noxious substances from unclean household cooking fuels adversely affected the PEFR of rural school children. Early detection and prompt treatment of undernutrition and avoidance of noxious substances from unclean fuels may ensure better lung health among the children in rural areas.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasite Infection among Schoolchildren in the Peripheral Highland Regions of Huanuco, Peru.

ObjectivesSchoolchildren in developing countries are at greater risk of intestinal parasitic infections. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and assess the risk factors of intestinal parasite infection among schoolchildren in rural areas of Peru.MethodsA volunteer team from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) conducted a campaign for parasite eradication called “Chao parasitos” at five schools in the peripheral highland regions of Huanuco in October 2013. The study collected questionnaires and stool samples from children of participating schools. Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba buschii, and Chilomastix mesnil were classified as nonpathogenic parasites.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infection in the students was 100% (185/185). Among them, 25.9% (48/185) were infected only with nonpathogenic parasites whereas 74.1% (137/185) were infected with at least one pathogenic parasite. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most commonly detected (37.3%, 69/185), followed by Giardia lamblia (15.1%, 28/185) and I. buschii (11.9%, 22/185). Among lifestyle practices associated with parasitic infection, the rate of washing hands before meals was significantly lower in the students with pathogenic parasites compared to those with nonpathogenic parasites (77.4%, 106/137 vs. 93.8%, 45/48, p = 0.025).ConclusionThe prevalence of intestinal parasite was 100%. Both personal hygiene and water supply facilities are required to eradicate parasite infection in rural areas of Peru.

Kids GPS Integrated Care - Leaving the Ivory Tower

Introduction : Children are increasingly surviving antenatally with complex and chronic conditions. Their families face significant challenges in navigating the health system, and managing transport, cost, and school and work days missed to access care from the network of tertiary children’s hospitals in NSW - Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. Transformational change is required from this organisation, frequently seen as an ivory tower that isolates children from primary care and local health services. Practice change implemented : Partnerships have been formed with local hospitals and general practitioners, to support an integrated model of care that helps families feel safe wherever they are accessing health services. Care Coordinators are responsible for facilitating shared care models, identifying opportunities to localise care and guiding the child and their family in navigating the health system. The project is using a QI framework, with each of the project streams testing the model of care conducting a series of Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to refine the model through the experience of each child referred to the program. Aim and theory of change : The aim is for everyone to understand their role in a child’s care plan and feel supported in their work, and for families to feel connected to their local health services. There is emerging evidence that Care Coordination decreases Emergency Department presentations and admissions, and increases parental satisfaction and family functioning. Targeted population and stake holders : The cohorts amongst this population include babies discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit; children with naso-gastric and gastro-jejunal feeding tubes; school children in rural areas; children who present frequently to ED with asthma; and children with food allergies. 160 care professionals have partnered with the Kids GPS initiative, ranging from sub-specialists, paediatricians and nurses, to GPs and Allied Health practitioners in the community. Timeline : The project commenced in 2015 and is currently implementing across three regions. Highlights : Amongst the 190 children enrolled in the Care Coordination service, an estimated 36,500kms in travel and 168 day only admissions have been avoided in the year to June 2016. The program has facilitated GP engagement for more than thirty families who did not have a relationship with a general practitioner when initially enrolled. A parent activation measure is being used to establish a measure of parental satisfaction and empowerment in their involvement in their child’s care. Sustainability : The cultural change, cross-boundary clinical networks and system capacity created by the project will continue to support the Care Coordinators – a permanently funded clinical service – after the project’s conclusion. Transferability : The model tested within the initial cohorts will become standard practice for the Care Coordination Team. Conclusions : Children with even the most complex of conditions can have elements of their care delivered safely in the community provided there is open communication and support available to everyone in the care team, including the family. Lessons learned : A QI framework allows the project to start small and continue to refine as it scales, and the incremental change does not feel threatening to the participants.

Health status of primary school children: study from a rural health block of Lucknow

Background: School health is an important branch of community health. School health services is an economical and powerful means of raising community health. In school child is vulnerable to stress, tension and endangerment of group life because all children are not the same and comes from different socioeconomic and cultural background and with different immunity status. Child is quite vulnerable at this growing age and hence become easy victims of many non-communicable diseases such as dental caries, anaemia, visual and hearing defects. The objective of the study was to assess health status of primary school children in rural areas of Lucknow.Methods: The present school-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural area of Lucknow from February to July 2015. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select primary schools from 1st to 5th standard. All students who were present at the time of survey were included in the study. A pre-structured performa for each student was used to record information regarding anthropometric measurements, physical examination/ personal hygiene, clinical findings.Results: A total of 170 children were examined, among these 82 (48.23%) were boys and 88 (51.77%) were girls. Dental caries was the most common infirmity observed in 63 (37.05%) children with 95% CI (33.35- 40.75) and was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) with boys 29.27% and girls 44.31%. Anaemia were found in 65 (38.23%), boys were 32.92% and girls 43.18%. Ear discharge was seen in 17 (10%) children, boys were 6.10% and girls 13.63%.Conclusions: The common infirmity found were dental caries, anaemia and ear discharge. Effective strategy with good monitoring and evaluation is imperative in ensuring adequate and optimal implementation of school health services in primary schools in rural Lucknow.

Effectiveness of behaviour change communication for preventing tobacco use among high school children in rural area, Bengaluru

Background: Adolescents in high school are vulnerable to various health risk behaviors. One of it is tobacco use which is the leading cause of death and disease worldwide today. Educational programs applied in schools can have immense potential in promoting healthy behaviours and help them to refrain from risky behaviours among school going adolescents. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among high school students in the rural field practice area of Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru and to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior change communication using life skills education on tobacco use initiation and cessation of use among high school childrenMethods: An interventional study was conducted in a randomly selected rural high school. A total of 454 students studying in 8th 9th and 10th standard participated in the study. Pretested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Intervention was given in the form of life skills education with interactive sessions involving debates, group discussions, role plays, situational analysis on prevention of tobacco use. Follow up was done at intervals of 1 month, 3months, and 6 months to assess the change in tobacco use prevalence using a questionnaire.Results: Over all, prevalence of tobacco use was 69 (15.2%) with 50 (11%) being male and 19(4.2%) female students. Prevalence of tobacco use reduced from 69 (15.2%) during pre-intervention to 58 (12.9%), 39 (8.7%), and 33 (7.3%) by the end of one month, three months and six months respectively after the intervention.Conclusions: There is lack of awareness regarding dog bite and its management among the rural population.

Oral health index of adolescent school children in rural areas: thiruvallur

Oral health index of adolescent school children in rural areas: thiruvallur

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Among the Rural Primary School Students in the West of Ahvaz County, Iran, 2015

Background: Parasitic infections are among the most important global health problems, especially in the developing countries. They are among the most common forms of infectious diseases in the world. According to the report of the world health organization (WHO), about 3.5 billion people worldwide are infected by a kind of parasite, and 450 million people each year become ill due to complications caused by parasites. Objectives: Due to a lack of accurate statistics on the prevalence of the parasite in primary school children in rural areas of West of Ahvaz, Iran, the current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the mentioned group. Methods: The current descriptive epidemiologic analysis was conducted on 306 rural primary school students in the Western regions of Ahvaz County in 2015. Collected samples were transferred to the laboratory of parasitology in the school of medicine, and underwent a direct and sedimentary formalin-ether test. Results: Out of the 306 students under study, 180 (58.8%) were male and 126 (41.2%) female. Of these students 88 (28.8%) were with 1 or more intestinal parasites, which Giardia lamblia, with the prevalence of 61 (19.9%) subjects had the highest rate, followed by Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, and Entamoeba coli with the prevalence of 12 (3.9%), 9 (2.9%), and 6 (1.9%), respectively, . Six (1.9%) students showed coinfection by the 2 parasites. There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of the parasite and the variables of age, the source of drinking water, and the method of washing vegetables and fruits, but no significant relationship was observed between the prevalence of the parasite, and parents’ level of education and children’s gender. There was no case of infection with the worms. Conclusions: Similar to other recent studies, only protozoan infection was observed in the current study. Giardia lamblia had the highest infection rate. According to the pathogenesis properties of protozoan in the infected people, especially children, it is necessary to compile educational programs to control and prevent the aforementioned infections and other protozoan infections among the primary school students.

Prevalence of common dermatoses in school children of rural areas of Salem; a region of South India

Introduction: Skin diseases are a major health problem in children, which is associated with significant morbidity. Its prevalence ranges from 4.3% to 49.1% in various parts of India in school-based surveys. Objective: The present study was conducted to know the prevalence, epidemiology of various dermatoses, and the factors contributing to those dermatoses among school children of rural areas of Salem. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in two schools of rural Salem between September 2014 and September 2015. A total of 1000 children between the age group of 5 and 14 years were examined for diseases of the skin and appendages. Data were coded and analyzed. Results: The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 68.2%. Almost 53 types of skin lesions were identified among the students; of these, 15 were infectious, 35 were noninfectious, and three were nutritional dermatoses. Infectious dermatoses were seen in 346 (50.73%), noninfectious in 253 (37.10%), and nutritional deficiency dermatoses in 83 (12.17%) children. The top three conditions, i.e.. pediculosis capitis (21%), scabies (11%), and bacterial infections (8.52%) contributed 40.52% of the total burden of skin diseases. Conclusion: The prevalence of skin disorders, especially infectious dermatoses, was high among the school children in our study area which is a reflection of the prevalence in the overall population of that area. It is mainly attributed to a lack of proper hygienic measures and health awareness which has to be addressed promptly for the improvement of that area.

Assessment of malocclusion severity and orthodontic treatment needs in 12-15-year-old school children of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, using Dental Aesthetic Index.

The present study was aimed to assess the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren in rural area of Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, India, using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 1078 schoolchildren (12-15 years of age) who were selected by two-stage cluster sampling technique. Severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were assessed according to the DAI using a specially designed survey pro forma with the aid of the WHO's Oral Health Survey: Basic Methods. Based on the distribution of data, analysis of variance and unpaired student t-test were used. Out of the total of 1078 children examined, 528 (49%) were males and 550 (57%) were females. The results indicate that 82.74% of the schoolchildren were found with little or no malocclusion requiring no orthodontic treatment. The gender-wise distribution of DAI score among children aged 12 years had significant difference between males (20.43 ± 3.67) and females (21.62 ± 4.335) (P = 0.015) and children aged 15 years also showed highly significant difference among gender (P = 0.000). Malocclusion not only impacts the appearance of the person but also affects the self-esteem and psychological well-being. This is the first step in understanding the treatment need so that further steps can be taken in preventive and interceptive care.

Association between Nutritional Status and Dental Caries among 12- to 15-year-old Government Schoolchildren of Rural Areas of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Association between Nutritional Status and Dental Caries among 12- to 15-year-old Government Schoolchildren of Rural Areas of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India