School Health Services – Unit 11 | B.Sc Nursing 5th Semester
- 1. Unit-11 School Health Services Community Health Nursing 5th Semester B.Sc. Nursing By: Rakesh S Sajjan
- 2. Objectives of School Health Services Introduction • School Health Services are preventive, promotive, and curative health services provided to school-going children to ensure their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, contributing to better learning outcomes and healthy adulthood.
- 3. Objective Purpose Early detection and management of health problems Identify and treat diseases, disabilities, or defects at an early stage Promote healthy growth and development Support children’s physical, mental, and social well-being Provide health education Teach children about hygiene, nutrition, and healthy habits Ensure a healthy school environment Improve sanitation, ventilation, safe drinking water, and clean toilets Develop health consciousness among children Encourage responsibility for personal and community health Prevent communicable diseases Through immunization, deworming, and hygiene promotion Support nutrition and address malnutrition Provide mid-day meals, check growth parameters, treat anemia Maintain records for long-term tracking Document growth, immunization, and health issues to monitor progress Refer children with special needs Link to specialists for vision, hearing, behavioral, or psychological issues Main Objectives of School Health Services
- 4. Remembe r: The ultimate aim is to promote a healthy school-age population, reduce school absenteeism due to illness, and create a culture of lifelong healthy behavior.
- 5. Common Health Problems of School Children Introduction • School-age children (6–18 years) are prone to several health problems due to rapid growth, exposure to infections, poor hygiene, and inadequate nutrition. Early identification and management are crucial to avoid long- term complications and to support academic success.
- 6. Categories and Common Conditions Nutritional Problems Anemia (especially in adolescent girls) Malnutrition (underweight, stunted growth) Obesity due to junk food and sedentary lifestyle Vitamin deficiencies (A, D, B12) Infectious Diseases Respiratory infections (cold, tonsillitis) Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea, worms) Skin infections (scabies, ringworm) Eye and ear infections Vaccine-preventable diseases (measles, mumps, TB) Dental caries (tooth decay) Bleeding gums, bad breath, malaligned teeth
- 7. • Vision and Hearing Problems o Refractive errors (myopia – most common) o Squint, color blindness o Hearing impairment due to infections or wax • Behavioral and Psychological Issues o Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) o Learning disabilities (dyslexia) o Anxiety, depression, exam stress o Bullying and peer pressure effects
- 8. Physical Abnormalities /Defects • Postural deformities (scoliosis, flat foot) • Congenital defects (heart, limbs) • Epilepsy, chronic asthma • G. Injuries and Accidents • Common due to playground falls or lack of safety • Fractures, sprains, head injuries
- 9. Role of Nurse in Managing These Problems • Conduct regular screening camps • Identify at-risk children early • Provide first aid and emergency care • Refer to specialists or PHC if needed • Maintain health records and follow-up • Provide health education to students and parents
- 10. Components of School Health Services Introduction School Health Services are a vital part of child health care. They include preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services delivered in schools to ensure the holistic well-being of children.
- 11. Major Components of School Health Services Component Details Health Appraisal Regular health check-ups: weight, height, vision, hearing, teeth, skin, etc. Treatment and Follow-up Treatment of minor illnesses and injuries at school or referral if required Immunization As per national schedule (e.g., measles, tetanus booster, rubella) Mid-Day Meal Program Nutritional support to prevent malnutrition and improve attendance Health Education Lessons on personal hygiene, nutrition, puberty, and safety Mental Health Services Identify behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities First Aid and Emergency Services Management of minor injuries, emergencies (epilepsy, asthma, wounds) Dental and Eye Care Screening and referral for caries, poor vision, etc. Environmental Hygiene Safe drinking water, clean toilets, good ventilation, waste disposal Maintenance of Health Records Cumulative and updated records for each child Referrals to Health Facilities For defects identified during screening (e.g., surgery, therapy) Involvement of Parents and Teachers Creating awareness and behavior reinforcement at home and in school
- 12. Important Note: The comprehensive approach includes services delivered by the health team, teachers, and parents working in coordination.
- 13. Maintenance of School Health Records Introduction • Maintaining proper school health records is essential for monitoring a child’s growth, identifying recurring health issues, and planning interventions. • These records serve as a reference for follow-up care, referrals, and health education planning.
- 14. Types of School Health Records Type of Record Purpose Individual Health Record Maintains child-wise data on height, weight, vision, etc. Cumulative Record Card Summarizes all health check-up findings over time Immunization Record Tracks vaccines administered as per schedule Nutritional Assessment Chart Tracks BMI, anemia status, and growth monitoring Referral Register Records children referred to higher health facilities Health Problem Register Tracks cases of illnesses like dental caries, skin issues First Aid Register Records minor injuries, treatment given in school
- 15. Key Information Included in Individual Records • Name, age, sex, class • Height, weight, BMI • Vision and hearing test results • Dental check-up findings • Health problems diagnosed • Immunization status • Nutritional status (e.g., anemia, underweight) • Any medications or treatments provided • Parent's contact details for referral or emergencies
- 16. Role of Nurse in Maintaining Records 🔖 Well-maintained records help track long-term health trends and are useful during school transfers, legal documentation, and government reporting. Function Nurse’s Responsibility Updating records After each visit, screening, or treatment Confidentiality Secure storage and access only to authorized personnel Reporting to health authorities For surveillance and planning school health programs Data analysis Identify common illnesses, nutrition status trends Follow-up Ensure chronic/at-risk children are re- evaluated regularly
- 17. Initiation and Planning of School Health Services Introduction • Planning and initiating school health services involves a systematic approach to assess needs, set goals, and implement health activities for school-going children. • A coordinated plan ensures sustainability and effective impact.
- 18. Step Details 1. Needs Assessment Identify the health status, common diseases, and gaps in services in schools 2. Setting Objectives Based on findings — e.g., reduce anemia, promote hygiene, prevent absenteeism 3. Resource Mapping Identify available staff, funds, health workers, and support from health centers 4. Stakeholder Involvement Include teachers, parents, local health staff, and NGOs 5. Developing an Action Plan Schedule of health checkups, immunization days, health talks, and screenings 6. Training of School Staff Train teachers on first aid, hygiene promotion, and emergency procedures 7. Implementation Provide services such as health appraisal, education, immunization 8. Supervision and Monitoring Evaluate services, address gaps, and Steps in Planning School Health Services
- 19. Roles and Responsibilities in Planning Team Member Responsibilities School Nurse Coordinate all health activities, maintain records, liaise with health officials Teachers Support in screenings, hygiene promotion, follow-up with parents Principal Administrative support, ensuring student and staff participation Medical Officer Conduct medical check-ups, provide treatment, oversee referral system Parents Ensure follow-up treatment, vaccination, and good hygiene at home Participate actively in maintaining
- 20. Important Considerations • Health education should be age-appropriate and culturally sensitive • Maintain gender sensitivity and confidentiality • Services must include all students, including those with disabilities • Planning should align with government health guidelines and school calendar
- 21. Role of the School Health Nurse Introduction • The school health nurse is a vital link between students, families, schools, and health services. • Their role ensures that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
- 22. Key Roles and Responsibilities Area Nurse's Responsibility Health Appraisal Conduct regular screening of height, weight, vision, hearing, dental, and general health Treatment and First Aid Provide first aid, manage minor illnesses, and refer serious cases to health facilities Immunization Coordinate with PHC for organizing school immunization drives Health Education Teach students about hygiene, nutrition, menstruation, substance abuse, and personal safety Record Maintenance Maintain individual and group health records, including immunization and referrals Nutritional Monitoring Check for malnutrition, anemia, and advise on diet or refer as needed Mental Health Support Identify behavioral problems, provide counseling or refer to psychologists Environmental Health Monitoring Ensure sanitation, safe water, proper waste disposal, and clean toilets in school Coordination and Liaison Work with school authorities, PHC, NGOs, and families to plan health-related activities Community Outreach Conduct parent-teacher meetings, educate families, and encourage health practices at home
- 23. Personal Qualities Required • Empathy and good communication • Leadership and team coordination skills • Patience with children • Clinical knowledge and observation skills
- 24. Final Summary of Nurse’s Impact The school health nurse not only manages physical health but also contributes to emotional well-being, academic performance, and long- term healthy behavior. They are an essential pillar of school-based health care.