Comparison of environmental health status in primary schools in different districts of Isfahan city in 2008-2009

Abstract

Introduction. Students spend at least 20% of their time in schools. Training, educating and the personality of these students depends on appropriate educational methods, proper physical space, and also favorable mental environment. Students are considered as a major human resources of any society and dealing with their health and promoting educational environment health is in fact a kind of investment for future. In this study we examined the status of environmental health status in primary school of different districts of Isfahan. Materials and methods. This study was a descriptive-analytical study. The number of studied samples was 77 schools in Isfahan which were selected by regular randomized method. The tool used to gather data was a environmental health inquiry form for school environments, and consisted of two parts: the first part included common school specifications and the second part involved items dealing with desirability of various parts of schools.The above forms were filled out in 3 months by specialists in public health, evaluating the schools and interviewing the principals. Then, they were analyzed and a comparison was made between the results from various districts. Results. 76.6% of schools complied with the standards and 80.5% of classrooms were in desired conditions. Regarding the standards for building and classrooms, there was no significant difference between various districts. Hygiene services (water closets and basin) and drinking water were at desired level and there was no significant difference between various districts in this regard, however the district 1 was in undesired condition. Regarding collecting and disposing of rubbishes and trashes, 79% of schools were in desired condition and 49% of them had hygienic tuck-shops according to standards, but there was no significant difference between various districts. Conclusion. The study showed that the status of environment health is at desired level in primary schools in Isfahan, but the health of tuck-shops should improve in schools and it needs more attention and interest from authorities of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and dedicating proper budgets to solve their health problems.