Health profile of school children in Bhaktapur.

OBJECTIVES To find out the existing common health problems among school children and to arouse health consciousness among the children. MATERIAL AND METHODS All the students studying in Mandev Amrit Smriti School, Jhaukhel VDC of Bhaktapur District were included in the sample. The methods used were the interview, clinical history and check-up for provisional diagnosis. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to record information regarding name, age, sex, standard in which s/he was studying, physical examination/personal hygiene, anthropometric measurements, clinical findings, provisional diagnosis etc. The medical instruments used in the survey were: weighing machine, measuring tape, and thermometer. Common medicines like Jeevanjal packets, Albendazole tablets for deworming, Metron, amoxicillin, paracetamol, Tagyl etc were also distributed to the needy students. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The physical examination of all 118 students in age group ranging from 3 to 13 years of Mandev Amrit Smriti School situated at Jhaukhel VDc of Bhaktapur district was carried out. Thirteen health related problems were detected in this study. The most important three problems were ear problems (22.03%), worm infestation (16.10%) and dental caries (13.56%). Thus school health education should mainly aim at these problems and the care and cleanliness of ears and teeth by proper and regular brushing should be stressed. Applying Water low classification, 33% males were found normal as per their weight for age. 61.9% males were stunted and 4.8 % males were wasted. Likewise, 54.6% females were found normal as per their weight for age. 43.6% females were stunted and 1.8 % females were wasted.