Public health and pre-school children

ByDr Sabah Mohamed Abdelkader

Assist Prof of Public Health

Child public health (CPH) Defined as: “organized efforts of society to develop public health policies to promote children’s and young people’s health, to prevent disease, to foster equity within a framework of sustainable development”.

Importance of pre-school stageInvisible population.Lacking freedom of making choice.

Influenced by others, parents, grandparents, media.

BarriersPartnership with parents is complex depending on factors like:

1. Time.Resource availability.Commitment.Mutual respect.Trust between all parties.

Aims of child public healthChild health promotion.Disease prevention and child protection.

Improving health and wellbeing of future population.

Working with parents, agencies, and groups to develop early intervention strategies.

Factors affecting child health Health inequality.Socio-economic factors, many live in

deprived areas.Specific risk factors. ????Parents.Age.Sex.Genetics.

How to improve child health?Individual health promotion, as early

promotion improve health in adulthood, and being a cost-effective approach for future generation.

Targeting parents as children are under their influence.

Intensive home visiting for children and families by health visitors and midwives for early intervention.

Outcomes of CPH1. Be healthy.2. Stay safe.3. Enjoy and achieve.4. Make a positive contribution.5. Achieve economic wellbeing.Understanding health inequalities is crucial for policy development and directing services according to HNA.

Public health and school health

Introduction Healthy school setting is defined as: “a place

where young people engage in daily education activities in which environmental, organizational and personal factors interact to affect health and wellbeing”. (WHO)

Importance of schoolYoung children who adopt unhealthy

behaviours continue these habits into adulthood.

Educational attainment plays a role in determining future health status, healthy children perform better academically.

Objectives of school healthHealth promotion of school children.Prevention and control of health hazards.Rehabilitation of the handicapped.Provision of health appraisal.

A- Health promotionAdequate nutrition.Sanitary school environment.Fulfilling needs of mental development.Physical exercise and activities.Prevention of mental fatigue.Social activities and recreation.

Role of schoolSchool feeding program.Nutritional education of children and families.Dietary supplementation according to local

deficiency problems.Prevention and control of parasitic diseases.Health appraisal for early detection of

malnutrition.

School environmentValue of sanitary environment:Basic preventive measure of communicable

diseases.Contributes to health promotion of children.Provide feeling of comfort, better achievement.Gives good example of clean environment.

Components of school environment1. School building:Must be away from sources of noise, pollution,

with suitable area for playground.2. Classrooms:* Suitable shape, area, and number of pupils.* Adequate ventilation, windows on both side

walls (20% of floor’s area)* Adequate lighting.* Properly designed desks and seats.

3. Water supply:Safe source and suitable number of sanitary

drinking fountains.4. Waste disposal:• Collection and disposal of refuse.• Suitable number of clean promises (W.C)5. Insect control:6. Food sanitation:• Sanitary kitchen, canteen and stores.• Food handlers sanitary requirements.• Food stuff fulfill specified requirements

B. Prevention of health hazards1. Infectious diseases.2. Parasitic diseases.3. Nutritional deficiencies.4. Accidents and injuries.

1. Infectious diseasesPredisposing factors:• Insanitary school environment.• Faulty habits of children and personnel.• Lowered body resistance to infection.• Presence of reservoirs of infections.Overall effect of infectious diseases:• May cause disease outbreak.• Wasting time, long treatment and bed rest.Prevention:Assignment for those who didn’t submit gp

assign

2. Parasitic diseasesPredisposing factors:• Insanitary school environment.• Bad habits.• Ineffective health service, case finding and

treatment.Hazards of parasitic diseases:• Diminished physical and mental development.• Impaired health, activity and vitality.• Contribute to malnutrition.• Resulting in morbidity and complications.

3. Nutritional deficienciesPredisposing factors:• Inadequate home and school feeding.• Nutrition ignorance of child and family, faulty

food habits (breakfast, snacks, sweets, drinks).• Parasitic diseases.Manifestations:• General picture: impaired appetite, easy

fatigue, lack of alertness, weak muscles.• Specific picture: according to type (assign)

4. Accidents and injuriesCan be wounds, bleeding, broken teeth, eye

injuries, fractures…. Etc.Control:First aid and emergency services including

transport and referral if necessary.Prevention:Education of pupils for safety rules.Supervising them during play.Removing any source of injury in school.

C- Rehabilitation of handicappedSome forms of handicaps in schools:• Heart disease: congenital or rheumatic.• Musculoskeletal deformities: polio.• Impaired vision: errors of refraction.• Impaired hearing: acquired from neglected

chronic O.M or injury by foreign body.

Medical care in schoolsIncludes:• Health appraisal.• First aid service.

1. Health appraisalComprehensive medical examination.Screening tests.Clinical services.Survey study.

2. First aid serviceFirst aid facilities and trained personnel must

be available for rapid management of emergency or transferring to medical center if necessary.

Thank you