SCHOOL HEALTH

Introduction Healthy children learn better! Many students come to school with health needs that may interfere with their ability to learn and reach their full potential. School Health Nursing is a branch of Community Health Nursing that seeks

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to identify or prevent school health problems and intervenes to remedy or reduce this problems (Stanhope & Lancaster,2004). Infections,injuries,asthma,diabetes,all ergies,and emotional difficulties related to these health conditions may lead to absences from school and in

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some cases, academic failure if left unattended to or not addressed properly

Objectives
At the end of the session the student is able to; Describe the history of school health nursing Discuss the 3 main functions of school health services Explain the aims and objectives of school health services in Fiji

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Describe the activities involved in planning for a school visit, during and after the visit. Discuss the problems/obstacles pertaining to the program Discuss the role of a school nurse

History of School Health

It began with an earliest efforts of nurses to care for the people in the community in the late 1800s in England. They formed an association called the Metropolitan Association of Nursing which provides medical examinations in the schools of London (Stanhope &

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Lancaster,2004). By 1892, they were also responsible in checking the nutrition of the children in schools. The concept spread to the United States, in 1897, nurses in New York schools began to identify ill children.

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School nursing began in the early 1900s with the emphasis on preventing the spread of communicable diseases and treating other problems associated with school aged children. It progressed and developed as other issues relevant to primary health care

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was introduced, e.g. health promotion In 1950, the no. of children with communicable diseases decreases, so school nurses focused on screening children for common health problems, for vision and hearing.

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More progressive schools in developed countries employ an onsite nurse at each school and they demand that the nurse be educationally prepared for the job.

Scope of school health services locally

The School Health Team in every sub divisions are assigned to visit all primary schools in Fiji The zone nurse/district nurse/ health sister are also directly involved in health related matters for the schools School health, like all health programs in the community, requires

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an interdisciplinary team effort(Allender & Spradley,2005) Lately, only 2 secondary schools in Fiji have onsite nurses.

Aims of School Health

Aim of School Health Services in Fiji To promote health of school aged children and adolescents Objectives To assess the general health condition of the school children

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To detect any deviations, treatment or/ and refer Provide immunization in order to protect school children from communicable diseases Educate school aged children to instill a sense of responsibility in to their own lives

3 core functions of school health services

Health Services Health Education Healthy Environment(Allender&Spradley,2005 )

A .Health Services
1. Assessment of School children General Inspection Weight and height Oral Vision

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2.Immunisation:- assessment of status - administration 3.Treatment and Referral Treatment of minor ailments (dressings, medication administration) Referral of cases that need further/ special attention

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4.Follow up care B. Health Education Personal Hygiene Improve nutrition Oral Health Sexual Health Smoking/alcohol& other drug use

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Behaviors that contribute to unintentional & intentional injury Physical inactivity (Maurer & Smith,2005) Other common health problems/ concerns of school age children

Healthy Environment
Safe water supply Latrine Type Rubbish Disposal Play ground Building (ventilation,lighting,flooring,windows) Desks and chairs