Environmental health and safety in elementary schools: A case study in Ilam city, Iran

Introduction: Students in elementary schools due to the physical and behavioral characteristics more than adults have exposed to environmental hazards. This study was conducted to examine the environmental health and safety indices in girls' elementary schools in Ilam city. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out via census sampling method in girls' elementary schools (21 schools) in Ilam city. Data were collected through a checklist of management system evaluation. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS-16 and the schools were classified in 5 levels (1 to 5 stars). Results: The results showed that 71.4 %, 66.7 % and 85.7 % of the schools were desirable in term of providing clinical services, improving nutrition in schools and parents and society participation in health promoting program, respectively. However, 100% of the schools in term of promoting the school staff were in undesirable condition. Conclusion: According to the results, most schools in term of environmental health and safety indices were in moderate condition. It was revealed that 33% of the schools, based on the health improvement program, were classified as 1 star and no school was found as 5 stars. This issue requires more attention to improve and promote the schools health level by related authorities.