Survey on Environmental Indices of Primary School in Behshahr City, Iran 2012-2013

Background and purpose: Schools are the most appropriate and reliable places for training and educating students. If health principles are not observed in schools, students will be prone to different kinds of health problems. Thus the aim of this research is to study the environmental indices in primary schools in the Behshahr city in 2012. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive study. 20 private and governmental primary schools affiliated to ministry of education were selected using census method. Data were collected in the questionnaire prepared based on the environmental standard of the ministry of health. The questionnaire was filled during interviews with school principal and direct observation. The data were analyzed using, Excel, and SPSS softwares. Results: The results of this search showed the hygienic statues of schools in water supplying (85%), waste water disposal (75%) and washbasins (70%), garbage disposal (100%) were favorable. But they were unfavorable for play ground 90%, green area 95%, lavatory with flash tank and ventilation 80% window without net 90% and fire extinguishing capsule 80%.The findings also showed a significant difference between the health statuses of different schools. Conclusion: Most (80%) schools had a pleasant situation or a relatively acceptable hygiene regarding the health instruction guide for schools' environment. This requires more attention of the authorities towards the improvement and promotion of the hygienic status of schools.