Health status of children of primary and secondary boarding schools of Gandhinagar district

Abstract

Background: Poor health, poor nutrition and disability can be barriers to attending school and to learning.1 Schools are sacred because they provide an environment, for learning skills, and for development of intelligence that can be utilized by students to achieve their goals in life. It is also observed that "to learn effectively, children need good health." Health is key factor in school entry, as well as continued participation and attainment in school. Aims & Objective: To study health profile of children of boarding schools of Gandhinagar district. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross sectional study. After taking the permission of principal of resident schools and consent of the parents of children, 867 children from 8 boarding schools were examined for nutritional deficiencies during February-March 2011. Results: Age of the study children (total 867) ranged from 5-19 years. (Mean age = 13.80 ± 1.96 years). Out of 867, 434 (49.9%) were boys and 433 (50.1%) were girls. Vitamin A deficiency was present in 54 (6.2%) children. Vitamin B complex deficiency signs were seen in 179 (20.6%) children. Vitamin C deficiency signs were seen in 86 (9.9%) children. PEM was observed in 77 (8.9%) children. The study revealed that 46.7% girls were suffering from anaemia compare to 37.3% of boys. 122 (12.9%) children had visual impairment. Almost 22% of study population was suffering from dental caries. Wax in ears was present in 816 (94.1%) children. Conclusion: Poor personal hygiene and nutritional deficiency among these children needs great attention and health education.

Nutritional and health profile among residential school children in rural areas of YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, India

“…3,5 In this study 25.7% participants found with vitamin B deficiency, which is comparable with the findings of Thakore i.e. 20.6% of Vitamin B deficiency.…”

“…20.6% of Vitamin B deficiency. 5 Among the study participants girls were having higher percentage of anemia (61.67%) compare to boys (30.99%).…”

Prevalence of nutritional deficiencies other than anaemia among students of government commerce college of Gandhinagar, Gujarat: a cross sectional study

“…Essential fatty acid deficiency was observed in 123 (14.1%) students. 1 In Srinivasan K et al 61.4% students were in the age group of 10-14 years, 84.3% students had one or more morbid conditions, 29.9% students had skin disorders. 4 In Panda P et al 59.5% are boys and 40.5% are girls, 47.8% of students were found to be normal as per their weight for age, 52.2% were malnourished.…”

“…Health is key factor in college, as well as continued participation and attainment in college. 1 Early adulthood health behavior habits such as diet and physical activity are influenced by the college setting and often track into adulthood. 1 The common morbidities found in college age students are nutritional deficiencies, dental, visual and hearing problems, skin conditions and other problems.…”

“…1 Early adulthood health behavior habits such as diet and physical activity are influenced by the college setting and often track into adulthood. 1 The common morbidities found in college age students are nutritional deficiencies, dental, visual and hearing problems, skin conditions and other problems. The fact is that the most of these conditions are preventable or avoidable and curable especially in early stages by promotion of hygienic practices among college students through proper health education by teachers, who are the first contacts.…”