Relative peripheral refraction in school children with different refractive errors using a novel multispectral refraction topographer

AIM:To compare relative peripheral refraction(RPR)in Chinese school children with different refractive errors using multispectral refraction topography(MRT).METHODS:A total of 713 eyes of primary school children[172 emmetropia(E),429 low myopia(LM),80 moderate myopia(MM),and 32 low hypermetropia(LH)]aged 10 to 13y were analyzed.RPRs were measured using MRT without mydriasis.MRT results showed RPR at 0-15°(RPR 0-15),15°-30°(RPR 15-30),and 30°-45°(RPR 30-45)annular in the inferior(RPR-I),superior(RPR-S),nasal(RPR-N),and temporal(RPR-T)quadrants.Spherical equivalent(SE)was detected and calculated using an autorefractor.RESULTS:There were significant differences of RPR 15-30 between groups MM[0.02(-0.12;0.18)]and LH[-0.13(-0.36;0.12)](P<0.05),MM and E[-0.06(-0.20;0.10)](P<0.05),and LM[-0.02(-0.15;0.15)]and E(P<0.05).There were also significant differences of RPR 30-45 between groups MM[0.45(0.18;0.74)]and E[0.29(-0.09;0.67)](P<0.05),and LM[0.44(0.14;0.76)]and E(P<0.001).RPR values increased from the hyperopic to medium myopic group in each annular.There were significant differences of RPR-S between groups MM[-0.02(-0.60;0.30)]and E[-0.44(-0.89;-0.04)](P<0.001),and LM[-0.28(-0.71;0.12)]and E(P<0.05).There were also significant differences of RPR-T between groups MM[0.37(0.21;0.78)]and LH[0.14(-0.52;0.50)](P<0.05),LM[0.41(0.06;0.84)]and LH(P<0.05),and LM and E[0.29(-0.10;0.68),P<0.05].A Spearman’s correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between RPR and SE in the 15°-30°(P=0.005),30°-45°(P<0.05)annular(P=0.002),superior(P<0.001),and temporal(P=0.001)quadrants.CONCLUSION:Without pupil dilation,values for RPR 15-30,30-45,RPR-S,and T shows significant differences between myopic eyes and emmetropia,and the differences are negatively correlated with SE.

SCHOOL DIFFICULTIES in Children Cancer Survivors: A Narrative Review and a Teacher Point-of-View

School difficulties are common in children cancer survivors and may be prognostic for the success of the patient social reintegration after the disease.Here,we carry out a narrative review of the literature from 2001 to 2022 to assess the school difficulties of these patients,the predictive factors of these difficulties,and the possible long-term consequences.We punctuate this review the practical point-of-view of a teacher dedicated to our hospital,who works with children with chronic diseases such as cancer.Therefore,we expose possible barriers and solutions to improve the scholar reintegration and limit the impact of cancer on the academic achievement.

Chronic otitis media and subsequent hearing loss in children from the Himalayan region residing in Buddhist Monastic schools of Nepal

Objectives:The main objective of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of chronic otitis media and determine the corresponding hearing loss in children from Nepal’s Himalayan region now residing in Buddhist Monastic schools of Nepal.Methods:The study was conducted among children at Buddhist monastic school in different parts of Nepal.A total of 3174 children aged between 5 and 15 years,who were originally from the Himalayan region of Nepal and were currently residing in monastic schools,were screened for ear problems and hearing loss.They were examined by otoscope to diagnose chronic otitis media.Hearing was evaluated by pure tone audiometer,and 0.5e4 kHz air conduction hearing threshold was measured and documented.Results:Of the total of 3174 children who were screened for ear diseases and hearing loss,monks constituted 76.21%(n?2419)and Nuns 23.78%(n?755).Chronic otitis media was the most common otoscopic finding during the screening,and it affected a total of 344(10.83%)children.Out of these 344,hearing loss of varying degrees was observed in 5.42%(n?172)children.Conclusion:There is high prevalence of chronic otitis media in children belonging to the Himalayan region of Nepal,and it is the main cause of avoidable hearing loss.Timely diagnosis and treatment of chronic otitis media could prevent unnecessary hearing loss in these children.

SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Seroprevalence in Children and Workers from Belgian French-Speaking Primary Schools

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, closing schools was discussed to limit the virus transmission, despite a lack of evidence on the role of young children in the virus spread. We undertook a study among Belgian primary schools to assess the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and its relationship with local incidence, school size, and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Schools were purposively selected using three criteria: an area with either a low or a high COVID-19 incidence, either a small or a large size, and either a low or a high SES. 932 (/2488, 38%) children and 242 (/444, 55%) staff signed informed consent. COVID-19 antibodies were tested using rapid finger prick tests. Results: Children participation was positively correlated with staff (r = +0.33;95% CI [−0.34;0.78]), and strongly with SES (r = +0.81;95% CI [0.40;0.95]). Seroprevalence was 21% in children (191/922) and 25% in staff (61/240). Seroprevalence did not correlate with local cumulative incidence (children: r = +0.06;95% CI [−0.59;0.67];staff: r = +0.26;95% CI [−0.40;0.74]). In staff, seroprevalence was higher in schools with higher SES (r = +0.37;95% CI [−0.29;0.79]), but not in children (r = −0.10;95% CI [−0.66;0.53]). Conclusion:The lower seroprevalence in children suggests they are lower transmitters than adults, but poor socioeconomic levels were less representative.

Children and Workers Well-Being in Belgian French-Speaking Primary Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of measures were taken worldwide to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and in many ways, changed human life. All these measures had harmful consequences and impacted the well-being of many people. Children were one of the most vulnerable groups. We conducted the present study to assess children’s and staff’s well-being in French-speaking primary schools in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 37-question questionnaire for each child based on the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and a 14-question questionnaire for each staff based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was undertaken in order to assess the well-being. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationship between RCMAS or HAD and other explanatory variables. Staff reported their perception of their current life and their future life in 5 years on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: A total of 231 children and 221 staff in 11 primary schools answered the well-being questionnaire between January and May 2021. 53% (122/231) of children had symptoms of anxiety. Girls reported more anxiety symptoms than boys (≥10: 59%;Adj OR = 2.25;95% CI [1.28;4.03]). 52% (120/231) of children had a definite state of social desirability. According to age, the youngest (6 - 7 years) children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 71%;Adj OR = 3.44;95% CI [1.53;8.09]) compared to the oldest (10 - 12 years). Children who did not practice outdoor/street activities were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 60%;Adj OR = 2.59;95% CI [1.38;4.99]). In schools with a higher local incidence of SARS-CoV-2, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 64%;Adj OR = 2.15;95% CI [1.13;4.17]). In schools with a lower socioeconomic status, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 72%;Adj OR = 2.74;95% CI [1.23;6.37]). Higher RCMAS anxiety (r = −0.18;p −0.23;p −0.20;p Conclusion: Our results showed that the well-being of children was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention must be focused on the most vulnerable groups, as the consequences can be catastrophic in the long term.

Health status of working children in Jordan: Comparison between working and nonworking children at schools and industrial sites

The purpose of this study is to explore the psychosocial and physical health impact of child labor and in Jordan and compare between working and nonworking children at schools and industrial sites. Methods: A sample of 4008 children at schools and industrial sites answered the self-report questionnaires that include physical and psychosocial health concerns, health screening survey, anger expression and child abuse survey. The results showed that both nonschool and school working children have various physical and psychosocial health problems. Physical complaints included common cold, flu, hearing and vision problems. Psychosocial ones included feeling lonely, feeling depressed, problems at home and work, and high level of anger expression, smoking cigarettes and using drugs. The study’s implications for health, education, counseling, and research interventions were discussed.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Iron Deficiency Anemia among School-Age Children in Primary Schools in Burao City, Somaliland, 2020

Background: Anemia is a global public health problem affecting the majority of the population of the world in both developed and developing countries with major consequences on human health as well as social and economic development. It is the world’s second leading cause of disability of the whole global disease burden. It affects 1.62 billion (24.8%) of the population, among them, it is affecting 305 million (25.4%) school-age children (SAC). Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with anemia among school-age children in primary schools in Burao city, Somaliland, 2020. Materials & Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study design was done in four primary schools in Burao, Somaliland. About 285 school-age children in the age group between 6 - 14 years were selected with a respondent rate of 93.4%. Random sampling was used to select schools and systemic random sampling was used to identify children from the selected schools. Socio-demographic data was collected by using a questionnaire & interviews of respondents in addition to anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin measurement, and stool examination. Complete Blood Counting (CBC) was used to determine the mean corpuscular (kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV) and hematocrit (HMC) levels to detect hemoglobin status of the children. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS statistical software for Windows version 21. Anthropometric data was analyzed using ANTHRO Plus. Bivariate logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of anemia in school adolescent girls. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 285 school-age children were included in this study. The overall prevalence of anemia was (23.1%) (CI: 18.1%, 28.1%) with the mean and standard deviation of (12.7 ± 1.59). Out of the anemic children, 20.4% were mild and 2.3% and 0.4% of them were moderate and severe, respectively. Children’s from illiterate mothers (AOR = 2.37;95% CI: 1.14, 4.94. P-value = 0.020), consuming organ meat less than once a week (AOR = 2.19;95% CI: 1.05, 4.43. P-value = 0.036) and having parasites in stool (AOR = 5.21;95% CI: 1.10, 24.6. P-value = 0.037) were identified as statistically independent associated factors with prevalence of anemia in school-age children’s from Burao, Somaliland. Conclusion: Prevalence of anemia in Burao city, Somaliland primary schools was a moderate public health problem in the current study area. Nutrition education, iron folic acid supplementation program, deworming, good hygiene, and sanitation are playing an important role in the prevalence of anemia and we recommend to give them more attention from ministry of education and ministry of health in Somaliland.

Seeking the Seeds of Innovation in School Progress :Ideas for Coastal Regional Children

Children are the future of the society. Of all the factors of children's innovation is the most important. The concept of innovation has been closely tied to the push for school choice, serving as a key rationale for such choice plans of school assignment. While innovation continually put forward throughout Chinese education, some versions of school choice are specifically designed to accelerate the pace of innovation. This presentation will provide an analysis of acceleration of innovation.

Impacts of Types and Degree of Obesity on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Related Dyslipidemia in Chinese School-Age Children?

Objective To explore the impacts of types and degree of obesity on non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and related lipids disturbance in Chinese school‐age children. Methods A total of 1 452 school‐age Children of 7 to 17 years were recruited in Beijing with representative cluster sampling method. Data of anthropometric measurements including weight, height and waist circumference were collected from March to May of 2007. Body mass index（BMI）was calculated. Blood samples were obtained and lipid profiles including triglyceride （TG）, total cholesterol （TC）, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL‐C） and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL‐C） were measured, while glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase （ALT） and glutamic‐oxalacetic transaminase （AST） were determined to evaluate liver function. The liver was also scanned by sonography, and abnormal hepatic sonograms were documented. NAFLD was diagnosed according to the criteria recommended by the Fatty Liver and Alcoholic Liver Disease Study Group under the Chinese Liver Disease Association. Analysis of covariance （ANOVA）, Chi‐square test for trend and binary logistic regression analysis were performed. Results The dyslipidemia and ultrasonographic fatty liver deteriorated with the degree of obesity defined either by BMI or waist circumference. Compared with BMI, waist circumference contributed more to the development of dyslipidemia, fatty liver and NAFLD. The highest levels of TG, TC, LDL‐C, and lowest level of HDL‐C were seen in the mixed obese group followed by abdominal obese, peripheral obese and non‐obese ones. Adjusted for gender and age, the odds ratios （ORs） and their 95% confidence intervals of peripheral obesity, abdominal obesity and mixed obesity were 0, 10.93 （0.98‐121.96） and 79.16 （10.95‐572.44） for predicting NAFLD; 12.61 （1.24‐127.78）, 19.39 （5.23‐71.85）, and 93.21 （29.56‐293.90） for predicting ultrasonographic fatty liver; 1.78 （0.59‐5.44）, 3.01 （1.91‐4.77）, and 4.64 （3.52‐6.12） for predicting dyslipidemia, respectively compared with the non‐obese control group. The trend of hazards over groups was statistically significant （P0.01）. Conclusion The levels of lipid profile and the prevalence of NAFLD and dyslipidemia increased in parallel with the degree of obesity; As compared with the non‐obese control, the mixed obesity had the strongest association with NAFLD and dyslipidemia, followed by abdominal obesity and peripheral obesity in Chinese school‐age Children.

Associations between near work, outdoor activity, parental myopia and myopia among school children in Aba, Nigeria

●AIM:To assess the influence of near work,time outdoor and parental myopia on the prevalence of myopia in school children in Aba,Nigeria.●METHODS:Primary and secondary school children aged between 8 and 15 y were randomly recruited from 12 schools in Aba.Information on family history,near work and outdoor activity was obtained using myopia risk factor questionnaire.Cycloplegic refraction was performed using autorefraction technique.Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction(SER)≤-0.50 D in the poorer eye.Data were analysed for 1197(male:538 and female:659)children with full relevant data.●RESULTS:Risk of developing myopia was positively associated with parental myopia[odds ratio(OR):6.80;95%CI,2.76-16.74;P<0.01)for one myopic parent and(OR:9.47;95%CI,3.88-23.13;P<0.01)for two myopic parents,longer daily reading hour(OR:1.21;95%CI,1.03-1.42;P=0.02)and less time outdoors(OR:0.8;95%CI,0.74-0.87;P<0.01).●CONCLUSION:Parental history of myopia is the most important risk factor associated with myopia.In addition,children with both parents being myopic has increased odds of developing myopia than those with one myopic parent.It is recommended therefore,that children spend more time outdoors as this could reduce the prevalence and progression of myopia.

Visual problems: a review of prevalence studies on visual impairment in school-age children

Childhood visual impairment(VI) have a significant impact on the educational achievement, career choices and social life of affected individual, and in children, is mainly due to either preventable or treatable causes. Reliable data on the prevalence and causes of VI in children will guide the development of a systematic vision screening program for its early detection and successful treatment of possible causes. The purpose of this literature review is to summarize the available data on prevalence and causes of VI in school-age children from various regions globally. A discussion on the major findings highlighting the definition criteria, classifications and limitations for further studies is also presented.

Improving school physical education to increase physical activity and promote healthy growth of Chinese school-aged children Time for action

Throughout its more than 5000-year history, China has a long tradition of encouraging active engagement in physical and sport activities This enduring tradition, however, has been facing some major headwinds as China continues to expe- rience demographic and environmental changes related to aging, urbanization, and lifestyle shifts.

A mixed-studies systematic review and meta-analysis of school-based interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary time in children

Purpose:The aim of this mixed-studies systematic review was to ascertain the effectiveness of school-based interventions in increasing physical activity(PA) and/or reducing sedentary time(ST) in children aged 5-11 years,as well as to explore their effectiveness in relation to categories of the theory of expanded,extended,and enhanced opportunity(TEO).Methods:Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) guidelines,5 databases were searched using predefined search terms.Following title and abstract screening of 1115 records,the removal of duplicates(n=584) and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria agreed to a priori(n=419) resulted in 112 records that were full-text screened.Two independent reviewers subsequently used the mixed-methods appraisal tool to assess the methodological quality of 57 full-text studies that met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening.The interventions were summarised using the TIDierR checklist and TEO.The strength of evidence was determined using a 5-level rating system utilising a published decision tree.Results:Overall evidence ratings for interventions implemented within school settings were:no evidence of effects on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and inconclusive evidence of effects on sedentary time.In relation to the TEO,expansion of PA appeared to be the most promising intervention type for MVPA,with moderate evidence of effect,whereas extension and enhancement of PA opportunity demonstrated no evidence of effect.A critical issue of possible compensatory behavior was identified by analysis of intervention effect in relation to PA measurement duration;when studies measured changes in PA during the actual intervention,there was moderate evidence of effect,whereas those that measured changes in PA during the school day presented inconclusive evidence of effect,and those that measured changes in PA over a whole day yielded no evidence of effect.Two meta-analyses of those studies using a whole-day accelerometer measure for MVPA or ST showed a significant but moderate effect for MVPA(effect size=0.51;95% confidence interval(CI):0.02-0.99) and a large but nonsignificant effect for ST(effect size=1.15;95%CI:-1.03 to 3.33);both meta-analyses demonstrated low precision,considerable inconsistency,and high heterogeneity.Conclusion:The findings have important implications for future intervention research in terms of intervention design,implementation,and evaluation.

Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits of School Children in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Objectives: Childhood malnutrition is a major concern in developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the nutritional status and dietary habits of school children. Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate nutritional status of students aged (5 - 19 years) in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, during September-December 2013. A two-stage sampling technique was done;22 government schools were selected in the first stage. In the second stage, 1100 students were selected from the target population of the study. Weight, height, and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the three different nutritional indicators. Dietary habits were studied using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Underweight (WAZ +2SD). Boys were more underweight (3%) than girls (2.2%). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (65.3%) compared to boys (59.9%) in the age group 10 - 14 years. Identified risk factors associated with malnutrition for those aged more than 10 years were: mother education (P-value = 0.03), father education (P-value = 0.04) and family size (P-value = 0.014). Conclusion and Recommendations: Child’s nutritional status is strongly associated with the literacy of both parents and family size. The prevalence of malnutrition can be reduced by implementation of school intervention programs for the socioeconomic development.

Overweight and obesity among public and private primary school children in Nairobi, Kenya

Obesity is on the rise in developing countries, especially in urban areas. In this study, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two divisions in Nairobi province to determine the prevalence of and some risk factors associated with overweight and obesity among school children in Nairobi, Kenya. It involved 344 school children aged 9-14 years drawn from four randomly selected public and private primary schools. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Nutrition status was determined using the World Health Organization age and gender specific BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ). The chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between overweight/obesity and selected socio-demographic characteristics. Complete anthropometric measurements were available for 321 children. Prevalence of combined overweight and obesity (BAZ > +1SD) was 19.0%, with prevalence being higher among girls (21.0%) than boys (16.9%) (p = 0.632). The prevalence among children in private schools was significantly higher (29.0%) than among those in public schools (11.5%) (p = 0.000). In addition, being a single child (p = 0.020), birth order (p = 0.017), mother’s occupation (p = 0.023) and type of residence (p = 0.028) were positively associated with overweight/obesity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity determined in this study is high and is a public health concern, with girls particularly at risk of becoming overweight.

Prevalence and risks of soil transmitted helminths among Ethiopian school children:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To assess the prevalence and associated factors of soil transmitted helminths(STHs)among Endemata primary school in North West Ethiopia,2021.Methods:A cross-sectional study with 195 school children was conducted from May to July 2021 at Endemata primary school.The study participants were selected by using systematic random sampling technique.Stool samples were processed via direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques.Data was entered by Epi-Dara version 3.1 and data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0.Variables were considered to be statistically significant if P<0.05 at 95%confidence level.Results:The overall prevalence of STHs was 10.8%(95%CI 7.1-16.0).The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides,hookworm and Trichuris trichiura were 5.6%(95%CI 3.1-9.9),3.1%(95%CI 1.3-6.7)and 2.1%(95%CI 0.6-5.3),respectively.Grade 1-4 students were more likely to get infected with STHs as compared to grade 5-8 students(adjusted OR 4.7,95%CI 1.3-16.6).Students who did not have latrines at their home were at higher risk to develop STHs infection comparing with those who had latrine at their home(adjusted OR 5.0,95%CI 1.7-15.2).Similarly,the school children who did not wear shoes were more likely to be infected by STH parasite than those who did it(adjusted OR 6.3,95%CI 1.9-20.7).The odds of being infected by STH parasites in children who did not trim their fingernails were 4.9 as compared to those who did it(adjusted OR 4.9,95%CI 1.5-15.7).Conclusions:The prevalence of STHs among Endemata primary school children was low.Student grade level,latrine availability,shoes wear and nail status were significantly associated with STHs infection.Therefore,we recommend policy makers and stakeholders to follow the integration of deworming with water,hygiene and sanitation as well as the consistent health education of school children to control and prevent STH infections.

Impact of Health Education on KAP towards Malaria among Basic Schools Pupils in Taiz Governorate. Republic of Yemen 2013: Pre and Post Intervention Study

Background: Malaria is one of the main health problems in Yemen. School-age children represent 25% of Yemen’s population and an increased proportion of these children are going to school. Schools provide a good entry point for community malaria prevention and control. Aim: To assess the impact of HE campaign towards malaria prevention and control. Methods: We conducted a community-based trial (pre-post intervention study), in two randomly selected districts (rural and urban) of Taiz governorate. The sample size was calculated using Epi Info version7 to be 1065 pupils from 6th - 8th grades in randomly selected basic schools. Data was collected using questionnaire before and after the intervention (three months apart). χ2 was used to analyze differences. Results: Health education activities in schools were associated with the increased knowledge of malaria symptoms and methods of prevention from 24.5% to be 60.2% among pre and post intervention respectively, with statistically significant difference (p Conclusions and Recommendation: Health education intervention in schools had a positive impact on the knowledge and attitude of pupils. We recommend conducting health education activities to improve the role of school pupils in malaria prevention.

Prevalence of Myopia in Preschool and School Children in the Municipality of Prishtina in Kosovo

Introduction: Myopia is the refractive anomaly of the eye in which the conjugate focus of the retina is at some finite point in front of the eye, when the eye is not accommodating. Myopia is else known as short-sightedness and is considered as one of the most frequent causes of reduced vision especially in adolescents. Adolescence is one of the life periods when most cases are diagnosed with myopia. Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify myopia in pre-school and school children (3 - 9 years old in Prishtina), to determine the prevalence of myopia among other refractive anomalies in cases included in the study;compare the prevalence of myopia in this population in Prishtina to other countries in the world;determine the effect of hereditary and socio-economic factors on the prevalence of myopia;and determine the degrees of myopia in our cases included in our study. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 1027 pre-school children and pupils from 4 schools in Prishtina, aged 3 - 9 years old, who were screened for refractive anomalies, with a special focus on the incidence of myopia in this age group. The data were collected by screening children in the institutions of pre-school and primary school education, including 2 primary schools and two kindergarten during a two-year period 2010-2012 in Prishtina. Results: On the screening of pre-school and school children for refractive anomalies, were included 1027 subjects of ages 3 - 9 years old. Of the 1027 children screened 536 (52.2%) were male and 491 (47.8%) were female. Statistically, the prevalence of refractive anomalies in the total population studied is significant based on the resulting value (P Conclusions: The Prishtina study is a report of prevalence of myopia among pre-school and school-age children in the municipality. The study reveals that refractive error and myopia were significantly common finding among the study group, and the prevalence was found to be even higher in children within the school age-group. The number of newly diagnosed myopia was significant, suggesting the need for a robust school eye health programme, regular assessment of school children for refractive error and provision of timely refractive corrections.

Effect of Health Education on Knowledge Attitude Practice towards Malaria among Basic Schools Pupils in Taiz

Background: Malaria is one of the main health problems in Yemen. Health education is essential for the control of diseases such as malaria. School-age children represent 25% of Yemen’s population. Schools children can convey the knowledge and skills that they acquire at school to the community, thus increasing general community awareness about malaria. Aim to determine the impact of school-based malaria education intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice of school children towards malaria prevention and control. Methods: We conducted a community-based trial, intervention and non-intervention comparison (exposed & non-exposed), in four randomly selected districts (rural and urban) of Taiz governorate. This study was conducted in four districts of Taiz governorate. The study population was 2130 pupils of grade 6, 7, and 8 in primary schools, chosen from four randomly selected districts;two of them were rural and the others urban. Four schools and their pupils (1065 pupils) were chosen for the study and assigned as an intervention group and four schools with their pupils (1065) were chosen for the study and assigned as a non-intervention (1065 pupils). Data were collected using questioner in intervention and non-intervention schools (three months apart). The major intervention activities included lectures about malaria, distribution of educational materials. χ2 was used to analyze differences. Results: Health education activities in schools were associated with the increased knowledge of malaria symptoms and methods of prevention. The mean knowledge of malaria symptoms is higher in the intervention schools 4.4 ± 1.9, compared with 2.1 ± 1.4 in the non-intervention group. With statistically significant difference (P < 0.001), also the positive attitude and practice toward malaria was higher to be (48%) in the intervention group;compared with (35%) in the non-intervention group the difference was statistically significant. The knowledge of mode of malaria transmission was higher in the intervention schools to be (86.2%) compared with (59.1%) in the non-intervention group, with statistically significant deference (P value <0.001). The knowledge of fever as a main malaria symptom was higher to be (90.4%) in the intervention schools compared with (63.6%) in the non-intervention schools with statistically significant deference. Conclusions and Recommendation: This study concludes that the health education intervention in primary schools in Taize governorate had a positive impact on the knowledge, attitude and practice of pupils. We recommend to conduct similar methods of the health education activities in schools with suitable modifications to reach all schools level.