Methods of exposure assessment: lead-contaminated dust in Philadelphia schools.
(57/3103)
This study was conducted to develop a method that would accurately assess children's exposure to lead in schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We examined three wipe sample protocols: one included accessible surfaces such as desktops and windowsills, the second included inaccessible surfaces such as the top of filing cabinets and light fixtures, and the third included hand wipes of the study participants. Surface wipes were collected at 10 locations from accessible and inaccessible classroom surfaces (n = 11 at each location) and from the palms of student subjects in the same locations (n = 168). We found a significant difference in lead dust concentrations determined by the three protocols (F = 4.619; 2,27 degrees of freedom; p = 0.019). Lead dust concentrations were significantly elevated at the inaccessible surfaces yet they were uniformly low on the accessible surfaces and the children's palms. These findings were consistent with observed changes in blood lead levels of study participants: after 6 months of exposure to the study locations, 156 of 168 children experienced no change in blood lead level, whereas 12 experienced only a minimal change of 1-2 microg/dL. The mere presence of lead in inaccessible dust in the school environment does not automatically constitute a health hazard because there may not be a completed exposure pathway. (+info)
Recent urban growth and urinary schistosomiasis in Niamey, Niger.
(58/3103)
A cluster sample survey was conducted in 1998 in 30 schools to assess the effect of the growth of Niamey during the last decade on a urinary schistosomiasis urban focus described in 1989. Two thousand and forty-two children (11.0 + 0.1 years old) had a urine filtration test and answered a behavioural questionnaire. Snail populations of the sites used by schoolchildren were followed up in 1999. The global prevalence was 15.7% in 1998, as opposed to 23.7% in 1989. The prevalence was very low in schools far from the river and higher in those along the Niger banks, particularly in villages on the periphery of the urban area. Geographical factors were more important than socio-economic ones in explaining the distribution of the disease. Only 46% of the children in Niamey reported water contact; mainly in the river, rarely in pools and the canal. The infection risk was low in pools (RR = 1.6), high in the river (RR = 3.5) and very high in the canal (RR = 12.5). Malacological studies confirmed the location of transmission sites obtained through parasitological studies and the questionnaire. Sixty-one per cent of the children travelled outside Niamey to the hyperendemic surrounding areas. However, these movements did not increase their infection level. The results are discussed in relation to water contact behaviour and Schistosoma haematobium transmission features. (+info)
Efficacy of a vitamin A-fortified wheat-flour bun on the vitamin A status of Filipino schoolchildren.
(59/3103)
BACKGROUND: Wheat flour is a possible food vehicle for vitamin A fortification. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the efficacy of consumption of a vitamin A-fortified wheat-flour bun (pandesal) on the vitamin A status of school-age children. DESIGN: This was a double-masked clinical trial conducted in 396 and 439 children aged 6-13 y attending 4 rural schools in the Philippines. The children were randomly assigned to a vitamin A-fortified (experimental) or nonfortified (control) group. A 60-g vitamin A-fortified pandesal (containing approximately 133 microg retinol equivalents) or a nonfortified pandesal was consumed by the children 5 d/wk for 30 wk. Vitamin A status, hemoglobin concentration, anthropometric status, morbidity, and dietary intake were assessed at baseline and 30 wk later. A modified relative dose response (MRDR) was assessed in a subsample of 20% of the children ( approximately 75/group) with the lowest initial serum retinol concentration at the 30-wk follow-up. RESULTS: Baseline serum retinol significantly modified the effect of the intervention. The fortified group, whose initial serum retinol concentrations were below the median, had a 0.07 +/- 0.03-micromol/L greater improvement in serum retinol at the 30-wk follow-up than did the control group (P: = 0.02). Improved vitamin A status was also evident in the MRDR subsample. End-of-study differences in the MRDR showed that vitamin A- fortified pandesal intake decreased the percentage of children with inadequate liver vitamin A stores by 50% (15.3% compared with 28.6%; P: = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of vitamin A-fortified pandesal significantly improved the vitamin A status of Filipino school-age children with marginal-to-low initial serum retinol concentrations. (+info)
Prevalence of giardiasis among Malaysian primary school children.
(60/3103)
Giardiasis, a gastrointestinal disease caused by Giardia intestinalis is endemic in Malaysia. The prevalence rate has been reported to range from 1.4% to 11.1%. The present study was undertaken between 1992-1994 in three health districts in three states viz. Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor. Seven thousand five hundred and fifty seven (7557) primary school children between the ages of 6-12 years from the lower socio-economic groups were screened. The prevalence was 0.21%. The study suggests that improved water supply, toilet facilities and sanitation have lowered the prevalence of a waterborne disease in the areas surveyed. (+info)
Schools as catalysts for healthy communities.
(61/3103)
Four school superintendents with a shared commitment to students' needs were able to forge a coalition that brought positive change to an entire region. Helping students and their families was a rallying issue for all community agencies. Initially, the four districts joined to apply for grant funding to link schools and social services providers. This served as a model and catalyst for many other cooperative community efforts. (+info)
The school as the center of a healthy community.
(62/3103)
Educational institutions have long been an important focus for public health initiatives. Their readily accessible populations of young people provide an excellent forum for health education, vaccination, and other public health interventions. However, schools can also play an important role as various sectors of the community seek to build new relationships. This article explores opportunities for public health leadership in strengthening schools, an important community asset. (+info)
Intestinal helminth infections amongst school children in the Serian District of Sarawak.
(63/3103)
School children from 3 primary and 2 secondary schools in Sarawak were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths. One primary school and 1 secondary school were located in a town (Serian), the other primary and secondary schools were in the countryside outside Serian. The intestinal helminths detected were Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis and hookworm. Children from the rural schools had higher numbers of eggs in their faeces than those from the Serian schools. Children from the rural primary schools had higher number of eggs than those from the rural secondary school. The prevalence of Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworms in male and female and in primary and secondary school children was recorded. (+info)
Surveillance for characteristics of health education among secondary schools--school health education profiles, 1998.
(64/3103)
PROBLEM/CONDITION: School health education (e.g., classroom instruction) is an essential component of school health programs; such education promotes the health of youth and improves overall public health. REPORTING PERIOD: February-May 1998. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The School Health Education Profiles monitor characteristics of health education in middle or junior high schools and senior high schools in the United States. The Profiles are school-based surveys conducted by state and local education agencies. This report summarizes results from 36 state surveys and 10 local surveys conducted among representative samples of school principals and lead health education teachers. The lead health education teacher coordinates health education policies and programs within a middle/junior high school or senior high school. RESULTS: During the study period, most schools in states and cities that conducted Profiles required health education in grades 6-12. Of these, a median of 91.0% of schools in states and 86.2% of schools in cities taught a separate health education course. The median percentage of schools in each state and city that tried to increase student knowledge in selected topics (i.e., prevention of tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, pregnancy, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, violence, or suicide; dietary behaviors and nutrition; and physical activity and fitness) was >73% for each of these topics. The median percentage of schools with a health education teacher who coordinated health education was 38.7% across states and 37.6% across cities. A median of 41.8% of schools across states and a median of 31.0% of schools across cities had a lead health education teacher with professional preparation in health and physical education, whereas a median of 6.0% of schools across states and a median of 5.5% of schools across cities had a lead health education teacher with professional preparation in health education only. A median of 19.3% of schools across states and 21.2% of schools across cities had a school health advisory council. The median percentage of schools with a written school or school district policy on HIV-infected students or school staff members was 69.7% across states and 84.4% across cities. INTERPRETATION: Many middle/junior high schools and senior high schools require health education to help provide students with knowledge and skills needed for adoption of a healthy lifestyle. However, these schools might not be covering all important topic areas or skills sufficiently. The number of lead health education teachers who are academically prepared in health education and the number of schools with school health advisory councils needs to increase. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: The Profiles data are used by state and local education officials to improve school health education. (+info)