Rural School Children Research Articles

Noninvasive integrative approach applied to children in the context of recent air pollution exposure demonstrates association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and urinary CC16

Exposure to the air pollutant particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased risks of respiratory diseases and enhancement of airway inflammation in children. In the context of large scale air pollution studies, it can be challenging to measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as indicator of lung inflammation. Urinary CC16 (U-CC16) is a potential biomarker of increased lung permeability and toxicity, increasing following short-term PM2.5 exposure. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) CC16 G38A (rs3741240) affects CC16 levels and respiratory health. Our study aimed at assessing the use of U-CC16 (incl. CC16 G38A from saliva) as potential alternative for FeNO by investigating their mutual correlation in children exposed to PM. Samples from a small-scale study conducted in 42 children from urban (n = 19) and rural (n = 23) schools examined at two time points, were analysed. When considering recent (lag1) low level exposure to PM2.5 as air pollution measurement, we found that U-CC16 was positively associated with FeNO (β = 0.23; 95% CI [-0.01; 0.47]; p = 0.06) in an adjusted analysis using a linear mixed effects model. Further, we observed a positive association between PM2.5 and FeNO (β = 0.56; 95% CI [0.02; 1.09]; p = 0.04) and higher FeNO in urban school children as compared to rural school children (β = 0.72; 95% CI [0.12; 1.31]; p = 0.02). Although more investigations are needed, our results suggest that inflammatory responses evidenced by increased FeNO are accompanied by potential increased lung epithelium permeability and injury, evidenced by increased U-CC16. In future large scale studies, where FeNO measurement is less feasible, the integrated analysis of U-CC16 and CC16 G38A, using noninvasive samples, might be a suitable alternative to assess the impact of air pollution exposure on the respiratory health of children, which is critical for policy development at population level.

Educational intervention in rural schoolchildren exposed to pesticides: a qualitative analysis of their experiences and testimonies

Educational intervention in rural schoolchildren exposed to pesticides: a qualitative analysis of their experiences and testimonies

Особенности морфофизиологического развития сельских школьников Чувашии и Нижегородской области

Introduction. Due to the need to identify patterns of formation of the morphophysiological status of rural schoolchildren in modern intensively changing economic and demographic conditions, this work is devoted to the study of the characteristics of schoolchildren in Chuvashia and the Nizhny Novgorod region. Materials and methods. The results of the survey of children and youth of the Yadrinsky district of the Chuvash Republic (333 girls and 298 boys), as well as Russian rural schoolchildren living in the Arzamas district of the Nizhny Novgorod region (1930 girls and 1635 boys), aged 7 to 17 years, were used in the work. The examinations were carried out according to the program adopted in Russian anthropology, the total body dimensions were included and analyzed: body height and weight, BMI, chest circumference. In addition, the rate of ontogenesis in the examined girls was estimated: the frequency of menarche age was calculated in each group. Results and discussion. For schoolchildren of the Arzamas region of the Nizhny Novgorod region, large average values of total body size are characteristic, pronounced in the case of body height and chest circumference. Analysis of the percentile curves of the BMI of the surveyed contingent suggests a shift in the boundaries of variation of the indicator in the greater direction in Russians, especially in the area of increased values of the indicator corresponding to overweight and obesity. The frequency of occurrence of individuals with borderline BMI values in the examined groups does not demonstrate significant differences, which may be evidence of a similar nature of the shifts in physical development occurring in them. The analysis of the rates of ontogenesis using the age of menarche confirms the earlier puberty of schoolgirls of the Nizhny Novgorod region. At the same time, however, intergenerational analysis of tempos of ontogenesis confirms the continuation of acceleration processes in the Chuvash group, while no similar trend was found among Nizhny Novgorod residents. Conclusion. Russian and Chuvash schoolchildren, the results obtained allow us to make a cautious conclusion about the similarity of the shifts in physical development occurring in the groups of Chuvash and Russian schoolchildren, which are more pronounced in the case of the latter, as evidenced by the earlier puberty of Russian girls. The continuation of acceleration processes in the Chuvash group indicates that this group is in conditions of less social stability.

Proyecto Titi: Teaching children that cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) are not appropriate pets.

Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) are a critically endangered species found only in Colombia. Their survival is threatened by extensive habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade. Because many people in Colombia have a low level of awareness of cotton-top tamarins and even less understanding of the impacts that the illegal pet trade has on the species and its long-term survival, Proyecto Tití has developed a series of programs for children in rural elementary schools that introduce children to cotton-top tamarins. This study examines Proyecto Titi's efforts to reduce the desire to have a cotton-top tamarin as a pet with outcomes focused specifically on (1) creating an emotional connection between people and cotton-top tamarins, (2) identifying the feelings and understanding the challenges that cotton-top tamarin face when they are kept as pets, and (3) empowering students to make positive choices to help cotton-top tamarins. Both TITI KIDS and TITIRITIANDO programs helped students to (1) increase their knowledge of cotton-top tamarins, (2) understand the damage that the pet trade has on individual animals and the long-term survival of cotton-top tamarins and (3) provide practical actions that they can engage in to protect cotton-top tamarins for the future. Our hope is that students from our programs become advocates for conservation in their communities and assist in the long-term conservation activities to protect cotton-top tamarins in Colombia.

Overweight and obesity among rural schoolchildren of the Russian Arctic and North in 1994–2019

BACKGROUND: There was not enough information on the spread of obesity among schoolchildren in rural settlements and small towns of Northern Russia in recent years. This study aimed to trace the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 617 years living in rural areas of Northern Russia between 1994 and 2019.
 METHODS: Data, including sex, age, body weight, and stature, were collected during regular medical examinations of 7548 children aged 617 years living in the rural settlements of Murmansk Oblast, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, Komi Republic, Komi-Permyak Okrug in 1994, 19971998, 20052009, and 20162019. Individual assessments were made using body mass indices according to the procedures and cutoffs recommended by the World Health Organization.
 RESULTS: The prevalence of excess body weight has substantially increased in all localities. It was 47% (including 0.6%0.8% obesity) in 19941998, 7.518.7% (obesity 0.95.0%) in 20052009, and 23.926.6% (obesity 7.711.9%) in 20162019. As 2019 data showed, no difference was found between schoolchildren residing in rural settlements, small towns, large industrial centers, and Moscow.
 CONCLUSION: A rapid spread of overweight and obesity among Russian children occurred in the second decade of the 21st century. The northern populations encounter this process in the same degree and extent as others. Geographic (Arctic, non-Arctic North, and Central Russia) and socioeconomic (various levels of urbanization) factors do not play a major role in that negative dynamics.

Mapping the unsafe school journey: Rural primary school children’s perspectives on dangerous social geographies in South Africa

This paper describes a study conducted with 20 primary school children from a resource-poor rural community in South Africa. Using participatory mapping, the school children were asked to draw the paths they walked to school (referred to as child maps), and identify unsafe areas on this journey. The data were analyzed using participatory visual analysis techniques by focusing on the children’s representations of their school journeys and their perspectives on their vulnerability on these paths. The analysis revealed a plethora of areas that posed a threat to children as they walked to school. Moreover, the findings suggest that children experienced heteropatriarchal violence on their school journeys, which evoked fear and anxiety since they associated this walk with risk. Using participatory mapping offered a unique opportunity to see how school children constructed and navigated the routes they walked to school, and how on these paths, different forms of violence occurred. The children’s maps offered an important tool for understanding the significance of space and place on routes to school in rural communities.

Food Insecurity and Educational Expectation among Chinese Rural School Children: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model

Food Insecurity and Educational Expectation among Chinese Rural School Children: A Serial Multiple Mediation Model

Post COVID scenario of visual disorders among rural school children of tribal area of Tripura

Post COVID scenario of visual disorders among rural school children of tribal area of Tripura

Influences of the Built Environment on Rural School Children’s Travel Mode Choice: The Case of Chengdu

Since the reform and opening up of China, the rural built environment has changed dramatically. There is a need to understand how such changes have impacted rural children’s school travel mode choice to design the built environment and plan schools accordingly. This paper combines field measurement methods and questionnaires to obtain data on rural children’s school travel behavior and uses the multinomial logit (MNL) model to investigate the impacting factors. The results show the following insights: Age has a significant positive impact on children’s choice of bicycles and buses. The improvements in road layout and facility conditions are significantly and positively associated with children’s choice of electric bicycles for school. There is a significant positive correlation between a good and safe public environment and children’s choice of cycling. Furthermore, distance from home to school has a significant impact on the choice of children’s school travel mode: the greater the distance to school, the higher the probability that children will choose motorized modes of travel such as buses and private cars. This study provides empirical data and evidence in designing rural transport systems for school children based on their preferences concerning built environment factors.

Study of personality diffrences of rural and urban children

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in personality structure among rural school children and urban children. The sample included a total 50 subject consisting of 25 children from rural and 25 from urban areas age range from 11 to 14 years. The children’s personality questionnaire (C.P.Q) test was useditbeauthe personality structure for rural and urban areas children’s men’s was computed and ‘t’ values was applied to check the significant difference between personality of the two group out of fourteen factors of C.P.Q Act (8) factors i.e.A,D,E,I,N,&O were found to be almost at equal level in both the group.

Association of Early Childhood Caries with Feeding, Dietary Habits, and Oral Hygiene Practices among Rural and Urban School Children of Jaipur.

AimTo determine possible associations of early childhood caries (ECC) with risk factors such as feeding and dietary habits of children and oral hygiene practices by the parents or caregiver in rural and urban school children in Jaipur, India.Materials and methodsAn observational cross-sectional study was designed with a dental examination and a standardized questionnaire. A total of 1,824 children, that is, 848 (46%) rural, and 976 (54%) urban school children were enrolled in the study. The data regarding their diet and feeding habits of children, oral hygiene practices of the parents or caregivers were collected with the help of a standardized questionnaire. The caries status of rural and urban school children was recorded using the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index. Data thus collected were compiled, analyzed and were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v 26.0, IBM). Comparison of frequencies of categories of variables with groups was done using Chi-square test with p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of ECC was 34.7% in rural and 45.5% in urban school children of Jaipur (p < 0.01). Caries risk increased with the use of both bottle and breast feeding, habit of milk at night, eating snacks between meals with no habit of rinsing teeth, and decrease in parental supervision during oral hygiene practices. In urban school children there is an increased access to junk food and refined sugar daily as compared to rural school children with more than two times in a week was found statistically highly significant in the study (p < 0.01).ConclusionThe prevalence of ECC was higher in urban school children as compared to rural school children in Jaipur. It was found that risk factors such as diet and feeding habits of children and oral hygiene practices by the parents or caregiver are strongly associated with the prevalence of ECC. It was concluded that the epidemiological data, which have been collected in a very comprehensive way can be utilized more effectively to eliminate the root cause of the disease by improving oral health services in the rural and urban school children in Jaipur, India.How to cite this articleYadav SP, Meghpara M, Marwah N, et al. Association of Early Childhood Caries with Feeding, Dietary Habits, and Oral Hygiene Practices among Rural and Urban School Children of Jaipur. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):273-279.

Readiness and Ability to Self-Development of Gifted Rural Schoolchildren

Introduction. The article examines the problem of the formation of readiness and ability for self-development among gifted rural schoolchildren as resource qualities of a personality that characterize the potential of its self-realization. The relevance of the problem is determined by the systematic nature of the support of gifted schoolchildren, which assumes consideration of the individual qualities of gifted subjects, the specifics of which, in this case, is determined by living in rural areas. One of the key tasks of systematic psychological and pedagogical support of gifted children and students in rural schools is to help them to know and understand themselves, to reveal their interests, abilities, to teach them to use the properties of their personality as internal resources for effective interaction in society, successful learning, self-realization and high achievements. Materials and Methods. The sample of subjects included 420 schoolchildren from eight rural schools of the Altai Territory. Among them, 49 people identified as gifted. The basic model for identifying the giftedness of schoolchildren was the three-factor model of J. Renzulli. To study the readiness for self-development, the ability to self-development and self-education, test methods and questionnaires were used. Results. It is empirically revealed that the majority of gifted rural schoolchildren has low readiness for self-development and has differences by gender: it is higher in boys than in girls. Among the schoolchildren with undiagnosed giftedness there are more of those who are ready for self-improvement, but not ready for self-knowledge. Intellectual characteristics are more pronounced in gifted boys than in gifted girls; creative characteristics are more pronounced in gifted girls than in gifted boys. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study open up new opportunities for the development of practical methods of psychological and pedagogical activity for the correction and prevention of the identified difficulties in the conditions of rural educational and cultural space. The materials of the article will be useful to the subjects of the educational space, engaged in system interaction in the effective development of the giftedness of children and youth.

An Evaluation of a Supervised School Tooth Brushing Program on Plaque and Gingival Scores of a Group of Rural Nigerian Primary School Children

Aim: The study assessed the Plaque and Gingival scores of rural Nigerian school children before and after supervised school brushing program.&#x0D; Methods: This was an interventional study of 96 children aged 6 to 12 years in selected rural primary schools in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on sex, age, type of school, Plaque score and Gingival score were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and student's t- test was used to compare means. P&lt;0.05 was considered significant.&#x0D; Results: There were 45(46.9%) male and 51(53.1%) female participants and their mean age was 8.45±1.83years. Forty nine(51.0%) children attended private school while 47(49.0%) attended public school. Only 10(10.4%) had good Plaque score while 8(8.3%) had healthy gingiva. Before intervention, 83(86.5%) children used tooth brush as cleansing tool, 7(7.3%) children brushed twice a day while after the intervention, 96(100.0%) children used toothbrush and 39(40.6%) children brushed twice a day. Also, before intervention, there was significant association between Plaque scores (p=0.012), Gingival scores (p&lt;0.001) and type of school attended. The mean plaque score for the school children before and after intervention was 2.17±0.57, and 1.28±0.49 respectively and the change was statistically significant (p=0.01). The mean gingival score before and after intervention was 1.23±0.67 and 0.31±0.49 respectively and the change was also statistically significant (p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Children who attended private schools had better Plaque and Gingival scores than those who attended public schools. Supervised school tooth brushing program improved the plaque and gingival scores of rural primary school children in the study population.&#x0D; Authors&#x0D; S P Ozoemena 1, N K Onyejaka 2, E F Ani 1, O F Eboh 3, E O Odo 4

Physiological exophoria did not increase the incidence of myopia in rural school children in Taiwan.

This study evaluated the incidence rate and risk factors for developing myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan. This prospective cohort study comprised 1816 students without myopia (grades 1 to 5 in Chiayi County). The students underwent a noncycloplegic ocular alignment examinations using an autorefractometer and completed a questionnaires at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up. A univariate logistic regression was used to assess the effects of the categorical variables on new cases of myopia. A multinomial logistic regression was then conducted. A chi-squared test was used to compare new cases of myopia in terms of ocular alignment. A Cox hazard ratio model was then used to validate factors associated with changes in ocular alignment. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. In 370 participants with new cases of myopia out of 1816 participants, a spherical error of −1.51 ± 0.6 diopters was noted at follow-up. The baseline ocular alignment was not a significant risk factor for developing myopia (exophoria vs orthophoria: OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.97–1.62; other vs. orthophoria: OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.73–1.82). However, new cases of myopia (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14–1.61), and baseline ocular alignment (exophoria vs orthophoria: HR 3.76, 95% CI 3.20–4.42; other vs orthophoria: HR 3.02, 95% CI 2.05–4.45) were associated with exophoria at follow-up. This study provided epidemiological data on the incidence of myopia in elementary school students in Chiayi, Taiwan. It also demonstrated that physiological exophoria does not predispose patients to developing myopia.

Exposure variability and determining factors of urinary metals for schoolchildren in Taiwan.

Urinary heavy metal levels in schoolchildren vary greatly over time, and research on the determinant variables explaining variance components in urinary metal exposure is limited. This study assessed metal concentrations and variability in the urine of schoolchildren and explored their important determining factors. We collected spot urine samples from schoolchildren (n=321) living in urban, suburban, and rural areas during the warm and cold seasons. The toxic (As, Cd, Ni, Cd, and Pb) and essential (Co, Cu, Mo, and V) elements of urine samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We assessed the within- and between-subject variability in urinary metal concentrations, calculated the "probability of overexposure (θ)," compared with the reference values. We evaluated the spatiotemporal and biological factors that determine average exposure by using a mixed-effects model. The within-subject variance accounting for 63.8%-95.4% of the total variance in exposures was predominant for selected urinary metals. Urinary As levels (subject-specific mean=69.0μg/g creatinine) in schoolchildren were remarkably high and presented ∼99.9% of θ. After adjusting for the selected variables, we found that urban schoolchildren had significantly higher urinary metal levels (As, Cr, Co, and Ni) than suburban and rural schoolchildren. The urinary levels of most metals (except for Cu and Pb) increased during the cold season. Girls had higher urinary Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb levels than boys. Body mass index and urinary creatinine could also affect urinary metal levels. Those variables explained 15.8% (Pb), 11.6% (Cr), and 6.5% (Cd) of total variance in urinary concentrations. The repeated measurements of spot urine samples across seasons in individuals for long-term exposure estimates of metals were suggested. This biomonitoring survey of a large number of urine samples provided useful information on toxic metals and on the important determinants of exposure in schoolchildren.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among rural school children aged between 6 years to 16 years

Background: The rise of childhood overweight and obesity in India is not only restricted to urban localities but fast spreading to rural areas due to lifestyle change and economic transition. Effective preventive measures will prevent the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension etc., in adult life. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of overweight and obesity and estimate the various factors influencing on it among school children in rural area.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 school children of age 6-16 years from selected schools of B. G. Nagara. Research tool comprised of questions about demographic characteristics, type of physical activity, screen time, height and weight were measured on calibrated scales and BMI was assessed using IAP-growth charts. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 22 version statistical software.Results: Overall, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.9% and 7% respectively. The prevalence of overweight was more in girls (13.6%) than boys (11.3%), whereas the prevalence of obesity was more in boys (8.2%) than girls (5.6%). Association of overweight and obesity with socio-economic status, parental obesity, type of food consumption, screen time, daily physical activity in children revealed a strong statistically significant correlation (p&lt;0.001).Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight is higher than obesity with statistically significant correlation with various factors, revealing the need for public awareness and initiation of preventive measures for development of obesity and the complications related to it.

THE CORRELATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WITH THE PREVALENCE OF ATOPIC DISEASE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Atopic diseases (AD) are a group of diseases involving the underlying immune system. The etiology of AD is believed to be multifactorial, caused by the interaction between genetic factors, the immune system, and environmental factors. This study was aimed to assess the correlation of environmental factors with atopic diseases in elementary school children. A cross-sectional design and questionnaires, developed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), were used to determine the atopic disease record and environmental conditions in sample of 88 rural and urban elementary school children. The sampling method was purposive sampling with each one representatives of primary schools in rural and urban areas. The data were analysed using the chi-square test. There was a significant correlation statistically (p-value &lt; 0.05) between asthma incidence to the floor condition (i.e., cement vs. ceramic tile) (p = 0.008). Rhinitis allergic and dermatitis allergic did not give significant correlations statistically (p &gt; 0.05) to environmental conditions like the smoke-exposure area, food allergen, floor condition of the residence, and residence location. There was no significant relation between the environment and the atopic incident record of the elementary children. Floor condition was an environmental factor that significantly influence to asthma occurrence in elementary children.

Oral Health Behavior and Dental Caries status: A comparative study between rural and urban school-going children in Dhaka Division

Introduction: The importance of oral health in children is paramount. Proper techniques of brushing and the influence of fermentable carbohydrates in dental caries should be taught at the early childhood stage. Objective: To estimate the mean deft, DMFT, Oral health-related behavior, and practice among the selected rural and urban school-going children in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 593 (152 rural and 441 urban children) school children using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 3 urban schools and 1 rural school, using an interview-based structured questionnaire and oral examination. Consent was taken both from the college authority and participants before data collection. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results and Discussion: The study was carried out among 593 school children with an age range between below 5 years to above 15 years old. The majority of the students at urban schools brush their teeth twice daily while most rural school children brush their teeth once daily. Most of the students use toothbrushes and toothpaste as cleaning aids, however, the majority of them usually brush before meals. In addition, the majority of the students at rural and urban schools do not brush their teeth after taking sweet foods. Mean deft in deciduous teeth is high among rural school children (2.07) while mean DMFT in permanent teeth is high among urban schools. Conclusion: Organized and systemic community oral health promotion should be strengthened and a prevention-oriented oral health system is needed for promoting future oral self-care practices among school children. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2022; 12(1): 3-7

PHYSIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF STUDENTS OF THE SUBJECT OF THE VOLGA FEDERAL DISTRICT OF THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD REGION

Introduction: the most important task of the state is national security, which will be ensured in the near future by a healthy younger generation (Putin V.V., Shoigu B.K.2021). The priority of modern physiology is to study changes in the adaptive capabilities of students and the impact of exposure to risk factors of the exo-environment on their health (Sonkin V.D.2020, Godina E.Z., Khomyakova I.A.2021, Skoblina N.A., Milushkina O.Yu., Gavryushin M.Yu. 2021). Purpose of the work. Identification of an objective physiological pattern of modern students of the Nizhny Novgorod region. Materials and methods: in 2011/21, 6840 physiological pattern of Nizhny Novgorod region students (♂/♀3216/3624) aged 7-17 years was observed. Results: the indicators of morphofunctional development are established, highly correlate with total body size (R=0.76-0.91), average with physiometric (R=0.4-0.83), low with hemodynamic (R=0.23–0.46). The patterns of ontogenesis have been preserved for the period from 1944/45- 2011/21 with a significant increase (p&lt;0.03-0.001) in the anthropometry of contemporaries, with an acceleration of growth rates, by 3-4 years of maximum increments with an increase in Rx/y by 17.8% and σR by 97.6% with an acceleration peak in the period 1966/67-2011/21. Average anthropometrics tend to converge values in urban and rural children, due to the higher rate of their growth in rural by 10% (p&lt;0.05). The physiometry of rural schoolchildren is higher, hemodynamics, except for diastole, is lower than that of peers of the megalopolis (p&lt;0.05). A significant acceleration of the rate of puberty over the past 45 years by 1-2 years was revealed. The puberty score in 14-year-olds from 1967/68 to 2011/21 increased by 45-96% (in boys), by 8-30% (in girls). The age of the second dentition (R=0.67-0.68) with the first stage of secondary sexual characteristics (R=0.80-0.89) as the leading criteria of biological development. The rates of puberty are lower in the students of the region relative to the residents of the regional center by 8.4% and higher in those living in the south of the region (p&lt;0.05), they end at 14-16 years. In girls, persons with advanced development predominate with equality of laggards (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: the variability of the morphofunctional state of schoolchildren (p&lt;0.05) is determined by the environmental conditions in the territories of residence, age and gender, the level of anthropogenic pollution affect a decrease in body length, the number of permanent teeth, an increase in diastole and Barbell samples (p&lt;0.05). Those living in the south have a more valid pattern of physical development groups (p&lt;0.01). The values of the functional state index are significantly associated with the group of physical development (p&lt;0.05), reduced in schoolchildren with shorter length and with increased and excessive body weight, unsatisfactory and excellent grades - 4 - 8%, satisfactory and good 45% (p&lt;0.05). The advance of biological development by 12% in boys and 7.4% in girls is greater than the regional standard. Type of vegetative regulation: normotonic 51.3% and 69.4%, vagotonic - 26% and 5.3%, sympathicotonic - 22% and 18.4%, hypersympathicotonic - 2.8% and 3.9%, respectively. The optimum of vegetative regulation was determined in 58% of students in urban and 62% of rural schools.

Personal Hygiene Practices among Selected Rural School Children in Bangladesh

Background: Proper hygiene practices play vital roles in prevention of communicable diseases and maintenance of health for children in developing countries.&#x0D; Objective: To assess the status of personal hygiene practices among the rural school children.&#x0D; Materials and method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to June 2014 among the children of class VIII, IX and X of Defalbari and Nagarbathan high school of Jhenaidah district, Bangladesh. A total of 240 children were selected through purposive sampling and data were collected through face to face interview with a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.&#x0D; Results: Total 240 students’ mean age was 15.36±1.69 years and 56.3% was boy. About 52.5% of the students’ monthly family income was below 10,000 taka, 42.5% were living in kacha house. About 77.1% students practiced hand washing before meal and 73.3% after using toilet. About 47.5% students had sanitary latrine in their home and 56.2% had practices of wearing shoes in toilet. About 72.9% students had daily bathing practices and 39.6% students trimmed their nail weekly. Students’ mothers’ education status had significant association with hand washing practices both before meal and after using toilet.&#x0D; Conclusion: Proper practices of personal hygiene keep young children away from many diseases and help in maintaining growth and development. Mothers’ education status was found to have significant association with students’ personal hygiene practices. So, effort should be made to aware every school going children and their parents about the benefits of regular practice of personal hygiene for a bright and healthy life.&#x0D; Delta Med Col J. Jul 2020 8(1): 28-31