Outline :

Definition

Needs of school age

Common Health Problems of school age group:

School health program

Goal of school health program

Benefits of school health program

Importance of school health program

Component of school health program

Role of school health service staff

Definition :
•Children in the age group 6-18 attend school.

•They are at a critical stage of the human life

cycle characterized by physiologic and
psychosocial changes that require special
attention from the health care system.
Needs of school age:

1-Happy home means that the home of the school

children must be secure. Student should feel support
physically and psychologically from their interested
parents.
2- Proper nutrition: it should contain all nutritional
elements especially protein, vitamins to ensure that
the child will grow well physically, mentally and
socially. Proper nutrition should give the child
enough energy to cope with demands of school life.
3- Free from fatigue school children should be free
from fatigue physically or psychologically.

4- Proper clothing and shoes: Students use uniform. It

overcomes the different level of socioeconomic status
between students. It should be tidy and clean.
5- Good sight, hearing & speech: the student has
aright in correct sight, hearing normally or by using
glass or hears aid. If there is any problem in speech
should be treated.
6- Free from handicaps: handicaps may be due to
accidents.

7- Free from infection: it may be happen in case of

improper immunization and infectious disease.
Common Health Problems of school age group:
1- Malnutrition: this age group depends on beverages
and desserts in their food. They like snakes and fast
food. This type of food contains a lot of fat and sugar.
This makes them liable to obesity , iron deficiency
anemia, vitamin A deficiency. The school should assess
the nutritional status and achieve proper nutrition in
their lunch program.
2- Vision problem: it is very common problem. It may
be congenital or acquired. The early detection of
problem is very important and should be solved as early
as possible because it will affect student achievement.
3- Hearing problem: it is a crucial problem and
teacher can observe students through their
attention, answering question, direction of their
head and ears.
4- Respiratory disease : it occurs due to improper
class environment and improper clothing. The weather
of school should be suitable to season e.g. bronchial
asthma

5- Cardiac disease Many different types of heart

problems can affect children. They include congenital
heart defects, viral infections that affect the heart,
and even heart disease acquired later in childhood due
to illnesses or genetic syndromes. as Rheumatic heart
disease
6- Accidents: it occurs inside or outside school as
road, traffic and sport accidents.it occurs in the way
between home and school . The main cause of
accidents are unsafe transportation or school
environment.
7- Smoking. Cigarette smoking during childhood and
adolescence causes significant health problems
among young people, including an increase in the
number and severity of respiratory illnesses,
decreased physical fitness and potential effects on
lung growth and function.
8- Psychological / emotional: emotional and
psychological abuse in children is defined as
behaviors, speech, and actions of parents,
caregivers, or other significant figures in a child’s life
that have a negative mental impact on the child.
School health program:
School health program is an integrated set of planned,
sequential, school-affiliated strategies, activities, and
services designed to promote the optimal physical,
emotional, social, and educational development of
students

Goal of school health program:

Improving students’ knowledge, attitudes and skills in
health.
Improving academic outcomes.
Improving health outcomes.
Improving social outcomes.
Benefits of School Health program:
Students
*Improve student performance and test scores.
*Decrease risky behaviors.
*Reduce drop out rates.
*Less absenteeism.
*Less violence.
*Improve rates of physical activity.
Schools
*Save money.
*Reduce duplication.
*Reduce teacher absences.
*Improve staff morale.
*Support teacher teamwork.
Importance of school health program:
School age children are considered a very important
sector of the population due to the following
reasons:

Biologically vulnerable: school children are in a

continuous stage of rapid growth and development.
Therefore the school health program influence all
future aspects of their health ( i.e physical, mental,
psychological, social and spiritual health).
Accessible: school health services cover the majority
of school health program.

Effectiveness of services: school health services have

immediate and long term health promoting effects on
individual.

Continuity of care: school children could receive

health services for at least 12 continuous years.
Therefore, any health problem could be detected
early and properly managed.
Positive impact on the community: school health
services have positive direct effects on the
student’s family and the community.

Cost- effectiveness: health status of school

children affects their learning and cognitive
achievements thus reflecting on academic success.
School health care interventions would affect both
the present and future quality of life of many
generations.
Components of school health program:
Objectives of the school health program:
➢It is designed to improve the health of students,
school personnel, families and other members of
the community.
➢Health promotion of school children to benefit
from their learning experiences.
➢Prevention and control of health hazards.
➢Rehabilitation.
➢Ensure the provision of healthy learning
environment.
A comprehensive school health program includes the
following components:

➢Healthy and safe school environment.

➢Nutrition and food safety.
➢School health education.
➢Physical education and activity.
➢Emotional well-being, psychological guidance and
counseling.

➢Health promotion of school staff.

➢Family, school and community partnership.
1-Health education

➢ Establish resource files on health topics.

➢ Provides critical health information to students.
➢ Act as a resource to classroom teachers on health-
related subject matter.
2-Physical education (PE)
➢Instructs students on how to be physically active for life.
➢Collaborate with physical educators to meet PE program
goals.
➢Contribute information for designing adaptive PE
programs for students with special health concerns.
➢ Provide information regarding physical activity and
chronic disease conditions.
3-Health services

➢Assess, plan, and implement coordinated school

health services.

➢Establish and maintain comprehensive school health

records.

➢Assess the health and developmental status of all

students.

➢Identify students with special health concerns

needs/chronic diseases and develop appropriate
health care plans with students and families.
4-Nutrition services

➢Encourage school breakfast programs.

➢Monitor available foods in school.
➢Discourage use of non-nutritious foods for rewards
➢Educate food school nutritionist on healthy meals.
➢Monitoring the sanitation of school cafeteria.
5- School Counseling, Psychological and Social
Services
➢Collaborate with counseling staff to identify
students with actual or potential emotional health
risks.
➢Participate on interdisciplinary team to provide
services to students to improve mental, emotional
and social health
➢Monitor absenteeism for possible health related
factors.
6-Healthy school environment
➢Monitor school environment to identify hazards
and work to correct it.

➢Monitor injury-reporting system and ensure action

is taken on preventable situations.

➢Participate in disaster planning for schools and the

community.
7- Health promotion for staff
Methods for Achieving School Health Services:
➢Screening.
➢Case finding.
➢Surveillance of immunization status.
➢Administration of medication.
➢Managing minor complaints.
➢Counseling.
8-Family/community involvement

➢Encourage that students be supported by their

families and larger community.

➢Network with community agencies to identify

physical and mental health needs of children and
families.
The school health service staff can:
➢Provide information and support to students (and their
families) to help them make informed decisions about their
health, wellbeing and development.

➢Carry out health assessments for vision, hearing, height and

weight and general development issues. If required, refer
students to another health professional within the school
health service or to other agencies for further assessment,
tests, diagnosis, treatment or therapy.
➢Plan and deliver school immunization programs.
➢Work with teachers to support health education
sessions.

➢Run student health and wellbeing programs.

Help school staff and parents to develop health

care plans for students with special needs (e.g.

chronic disease, physical disability or other

complex health condition