Assessment of primary schools' environment in Erbil city

Abstract

Background and objective: Healthy school environment is one of the main determinants of students' health in order to maximize the benefit from the educational programs. This study was aimed to assess the primary school environment in Erbil city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 primary schools in Erbil city out of 242 schools through the academic year 2010-2011. Data were collected using a questionnaire constructed by the researchers which included general information, area around the school, school environment, class-room and school canteen. Results: Most of the primary schools were located near the main street, nearly all (98%) the streets leading to the schools were paved. In contrast, thirty one (62%) schools had been exposed to a pollution source, mainly noise (54.84%) and garbage (45.16%) pollution. The majority of the schools had standard school fencing, school yard, and garbage container, and only 8 (16%) of them had available/standard school ground. The study showed that nearly half of the schools had appropriate classrooms, lighting, and majority of them had adequate desks, appropriate blackboards and clean classrooms, while ventilation and age appropriate desks were partially available. The amount of chlorine in water was not tested. There is lack of materials in the first aid kits. Canteens were available, but not standard and the working staff did not have the health certificate. Conclusion: School environment in Erbil city is not optimum.

Nasal Carriage of Vancomycin- and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Intermediate Students of Urban and Rural Schools of Muthanna Province in Iraq

“…About 73% of the students who were exposed to wounds during school time did not receive the initial treatment for wounds such as sterilization or putting on gauze, and this is completely consistent with a previous study that indicated the same problem where some students had to return to their homes to seek treatment which means that their wounds remain for several hours, exposed to bacterial contamination (20) . The issue goes beyond poor sanitation and school environment, as some schools lack first aid materials (21) and even if they are available, it has been found that educational personnel are not trained or lack primary medical information and have not been engaged in training courses on how to do first aid (22) . The results of the cultural properties showed that about a quarter of the students 24% of the students were MRSA carriers.…”

Appraisal of Risk Factors which Influence the Construction of the School Buildings in Northern Iraq

“…Abdulla, Najib [13] presented a survey covered 50 primary schools in Erbil city out of 242 schools covered the educational year 2010-2011. The informations were collected using a survey made by the scholars who included general evidence, the area nearby the school, school environment.…”