Adolescents who are subjected to adverse health risks which limit school attendance and academic performance, is a national as well as an international recognised problem considering healthy youth to be productive members of society. The South African Department of Health has introduced a re-engineering program for primary health care of which school-health is one of three main areas of the primary health care services focusing on, but not limited to immunization, teenage pregnancy, education about HIV/Aids, and screening for health problems such as poor eyesight and hearing impairment. During October 2012 the new school-health program was piloted in very poor schools in KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo and will over the next four years be implemented in poor Secondary Schools. The aim of this research was to explore and describe comprehensive school-health services in two selected secondary schools in the North West province in order to propose recommendations to enhance adolescents' quality of life. The researcher used an explorative, descriptive, holistic multiple case study to gather rich data from two separate institutions (secondary schools) to reach the following objectives: * To identify and describe the demographic profile from existing records/documents available at each selected secondary school. * To explore and describe how comprehensive school-health services are experienced by key stakeholders, in two selected secondary schools in the North West province. * To explore and describe the perceptions of key stakeholders on how comprehensive school-health services should be rendered in two selected secondary schools in the North West province to enhance the quality of life of the adolescent. A description of the demographic profile was possible by means of a demographic data sheet completed by the principal to understand the background of each school included in the research. Rich information of key stakeholders' experiences and views about comprehensive school-health services was gained by four focus group interviews. Results of the data analysis showed a lack of comprehensive school-health services to adolescents in two secondary schools. The findings included adolescents' health problems as well as physical and emotional challenges educators are not equipped for and/or have not sufficient time to manage. Conclusions made from the research findings, contributed to recommendations for the nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research to enhance the quality of life of adolescents through comprehensive school-health services in selected secondary schools in the North West province. / MCur, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

INTRODUÇÃO: A falta da correção óptica recentemente foi reconhecida como importante causa de baixa visão e parece ser um problema fácil de ser resolvido com o uso de óculos. No entanto, a falta da correção óptica é um problema complexo do seu diagnóstico ao tratamento, envolvendo a procura e alcance da assistência médica, além da confecção e uso dos óculos. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a frequência da necessidade de correção óptica em escolares; determinar a influência do absenteísmo no estudo da frequência da necessidade de correção óptica e suas causas; determinar o impacto da reconvocação dos faltosos na cobertura do atendimento oftalmológico; verificar cobertura oftalmológica prévia; verificar uso da correção óptica prescrita e causas de abandono de óculos. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico. Escolares de 7 a 10 anos do ensino público de Guarulhos foram triados e encaminhados para exame oftalmológico na Campanha Olho no Olho 2006 e 2007. RESULTADOS: Foram triados 40.197 escolares e encaminhados 11.741 escolares com suspeita de problemas visuais. O absenteísmo na primeira convocação foi 42.5% e na reconvocação foi 62.2%. A Campanha alcançou 73.6% dos escolares encaminhados. A reconvocação ampliou a cobertura do projeto em 16.1%. A falta de orientação (não ter recebido aviso ou guia de encaminhamento) foi a razão mais frequente (35.6%) alegada para o não comparecimento, seguida de trabalho (20.6%) e doença (12.4%). A necessidade de óculos não foi fator associado ao comparecimento. Para 60.2% dos escolares foi a primeira oportunidade de exame ocular, sendo que 27.3% procuraram mas não tiveram acesso a consulta médica. Dos 1.379 escolares que já haviam feito exame, 48.3% utilizaram o SUS e 1.029 receberam prescrição de óculos em exame prévio. Destes, 899 (87.4%) fizeram os óculos e apenas 590 (57.3%) usavam os óculos no dia do exame. Dos óculos doados na Campanha, 84.7% dos escolares utilizavam a correção óptica após um ano. A estimativa da frequência da necessidade de correção óptica, na população estudada, foi de 6.9%. CONCLUSÕES: O erro refracional não corrigido foi a maior causa de baixa acuidade visual entre os escolares. A Campanha foi a primeira oportunidade de exame ocular para a maioria dos escolares. Existe uma parcela de pais que não leva seus filhos para exame, mesmo com oferecimento de facilidades (acesso, transporte, alimentação, duas oportunidades diferentes de exame gratuito realizado em fins de semana e doação de óculos). O absenteísmo poderia ser evitado em 87,1% dos casos, com melhor estruturação da primeira convocação. A reconvocação não é recomendada quando os recursos financeiros são escassos / INTRODUCTION: The lack of optical correction was recently recognized as an important cause of low vision and it seems to be an easy problem to be solved with the use of spectacles. However, it is a complex problem from its diagnosis to treatment, which includes medical assistance searching and finding, and spectacles acquisition and use. PURPOSES: To determine the frequency of optical correction need; to determine the impact of the recall of those absent in the ophthalmologic service coverage and its causes; to check the previous ophthalmologic coverage; to check the use of the prescribed optical correction and causes to neglect the use of spectacles. METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Students between 7 and 10 years old of public education from Guarulhos were screened and referred to ophthalmologic exam in the Eye to Eye Campaign 2006 and 2007. RESULTS: 40.197 students were screened and 11.741 (29,2%) were referred with suspicion of visual problems. The absenteeism in the first call was 42.5% and in the recall 62.2%. The Campaign reached 73.6% of the referred students. The recall expanded the project coverage in 16.1%. The lack of guidelines (parents did not receive notification or referral guide) was the most frequent reason (35.6%) provided by parents for the non attendance, followed by work (20.6%) and disease (12.4%). The need of glasses was not related to the attendance. For 60.2% of the students, it was the first opportunity for ophthalmological exam, whereby 27.3% searched but did not have access to a medical visit. Among the 1.379 students who had already performed an exam, 48.3% used the Public Health System and 1.029 received prescription of glasses in the previous exam. From those, 899 (87.4%) made their glasses and only 590 (57.3%) were wearing glasses on the day of the exam. From the donated spectacles in the Campaign, 84.7% of the students were using the donated optical correction after one year. The estimate of optical correction need within the studied population was 6.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The uncorrected refractive error was the main cause of low visual acuity among students. The Campaign was the first opportunity of ocular exam for most of them. A significant number of parents did not take their children for ophthalmological exams, even when facilities (access, free transportation, meal, two different opportunities of free exam over the weekend and spectacle donation) were offered. For 87.1% of the absenteeism cases, the difficulties could have been overcome via improved structuring of the first call. A recall is not recommended when financial resources are low

No description available.

No previous study has attempted to clarify and articulate administrator attitudes regarding DNR orders in the school setting. Administrative school staff are responsible for development and implementation of school policy therefore understanding administrators' attitudes would assist discussion and decision making related to DNR orders in the school setting.

This study identifies the Integrated School Health Programme’s implementation constraints in (Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Southern Region), and describes how these constraints have affected the implementation of school health services. This predominantly qualitative study employed the structured interview-based research design and focus group discussion approaches, with the target population consisting of school health nurses and educators working with them in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Southern Region. The criterion-referenced sampling strategy was opted for, because of the researcher’s knowledge of the research environment. The focus group discussions, structured interviews and participant observations complement the study’s data collection methods. The principal findings depicted the Integrated School Health Programme was not as effective as expected in its implementation. The main constraints were identified as lack of resources and knowledge; and poor teamwork of the Department of Health, the Department of Basic Education, and parents. Emanating from these findings, the study recommends innovative collaboration mechanisms between the two government departments, and that relevant and sufficient resources should be allocated for effectively implementing the Integrated School Health Programme. / Health Studies / M. P. H.

Childhood obesity rates have increased nationwide, but rates of childhood obesity are higher in Tennessee (TN). The Coordinated School Health (CSH) Program is a multicomponent approach designed to improve academics and health in children in Tennessee; however, researchers have not evaluated the 8 components of the plan and the impact it has on weight in children. The purpose of the study was to determine if a relationship existed between the Coordinated School Health Program and obesity in children. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory. One hundred forty CSH coordinators in TN were surveyed and the results were analyzed using multiple regression to determine the relationship between the 8 components of the CSH program and obesity rates in children in TN. Nutrition service was the only component that was statistically significant. According to study results, many districts had been exposed to the coordinated school health program and had some components in place, but the program was not seen as a priority by school administration, which affected the successful implementation of the program. The findings from this research can be used to help school officials determine how to better integrate the components of the Coordinated School Health program into the existing curriculum, allot time and resources for implementation strategies, hire the appropriate staff, and/or determine which component needs more focus. Determining which component(s) should have more emphasis creates potential for social change by reducing obesity in children, which will likely reduce the chance of those children becoming obese adults.

O objetivo geral deste estudo transversal foi realizar um levantamento epidemiológico de traumatismos dentários em crianças de 12 anos de Quito, no Equador e investigar a associação de fatores relacionados ao ambiente escolar e a ocorrência de traumatismos e na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal dessas crianças. Para isso, um levantamento epidemiológico em escolares de escolas públicas de Quito foi realizado para avaliar diferentes agravos de saúde bucal. A tese foi dividida em dois capítulos, com os seguintes objetivos: avaliar se alguns fatores relacionados ao ambiente escolar possuem associação com a ocorrência de traumatismos (Capítulo I), e avaliar se fatores positivos relacionados ao ambiente físico, social e de práticas de atividades relacionadas à saúde em escolas exercem efeito no impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada à ocorrência de traumatismos dentários (Capítulo II). O estudo foi realizado com uma amostra representativa de crianças de 12 anos de idade em escolas públicas da zona urbana de Quito, no Equador. Seis examinadores calibrados avaliaram as crianças com relação à presença de traumatismos dentários, cárie dentária e maloclusão. Um inquérito relacionado às condições socioeconômicas da família foi respondido. Os diretores das escolas também responderam a questões relacionadas à estrutura física da escola, à promoção de práticas de promoção de saúde e à ocorrência de episódios negativos na escola. O Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) foi respondido pelas crianças. Para as análises, regressão de Poisson de multinível foi utilizada, e as razões de taxas (RT) e intervalos de confiança a 95% (95%IC) foram calculados (p < 0,05). A prevalência de traumatismo foi de 20,7%. Escolas com pátio de piso de grama e com rampas de acesso tiveram menor prevalência de traumatismos do que as escolas com pátio de piso de cimento e com apenas com escadas, respectivamente. A prevalência de traumatismo também foi menor em escolas que ofereciam refeições saudáveis ou local apropriado para escovação dentária. Já com relação à qualidade de vida, a ocorrência de traumatismos severos foi associada à maiores escores do CPQ11-14, mesmo no modelo múltiplo ajustado por outros problemas de saúde bucal, sexo, variáveis socioeconômicas e variáveis contextuais. As crianças de escolas que promoviam a escovação dos dentes de seus alunos apresentaram menor impacto na qualidade de vida, mesmo quando ajustada pela presença de traumatismos e outras variáveis. Conclui-se que escolas com um ambiente mais favorável apresentam menor prevalência de traumatismos e exercem efeito positivo na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal, mesmo na ocorrência de traumatismos dentários. / The overall objective of this cross sectional study was to carry out an epidemiological survey of dental trauma in 12-year-old children from Quito, Ecuador, and to investigate the association of variables related to school environment and occurrence of dental traumatic injuries and on oral health-related quality of life of these children. For this, an epidemiological survey with 12-year-old scholars from public schools of Quito was conducted to evaluate several oral health problems. The thesis was divided in two chapters, with the following aims: to evaluate if some variables related to the school environment have association with occurrence of dental traumatic injuries (Chapter I), and to evaluate if positive factors related to the physical and social environment, and to practices of health-related activities in the schools exert some influence on the quality of life related to the occurrence of dental traumatic injuries. (Chapter II). The study was conducted with a representative sample of children with 12 years old in public schools in the urban area of Quito, Ecuador. Six calibrated examiners evaluated children for dental traumatic injuries, dental caries and malocclusion. A questionnaire related to the socioeconomic conditions of the family was answered by the parents. School principals also responded to questions about the school\'s physical structure, the promotion of health practices and the occurrence of negative episodes at school. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) was answered by the children. For the analyzes, multilevel Poisson regression was used, and the rate ratios (RT) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated (p <0.05). The prevalence of dental traumatic injuries was 20.7%. Schools with grass-floor yard and access ramps had a lower prevalence of injuries than schools with cement-walled yard and with only stairs, respectively. The prevalence of dental trauma was also lower in schools that offered healthy meals or an appropriate place for dental brushing. With regard to the quality of life, the occurrence of severe traumatic injuries was associated with higher CPQ11-14 total scores, even in the multiple model adjusted for other oral health problems, sex, socioeconomic variables and contextual variables. The children of schools that promoted the tooth brushing of their students presented less impact on quality of life, even when adjusted for the presence of trauma and other variables. In conclusion, schools with a more favorable environment present a lower prevalence of dental traumatic injuries and have a positive effect on the quality of life related to oral health, even in the occurrence of dental traumatic injuries.

The purpose of this study is to explore and describe the nature and extent of school health nurses’ roles and responsibilities in the prevention of drug abuse by learners in schools. The study was conducted at two high schools in Eldorado Park Extension 4 (Region G), in Johannesburg West. A mixed-methods (triangulated) research approach was opted for, in terms of which structured focus group interviews, self-administered questionnaires, and participant observations optimised and complemented the data collection process. The non-probability simple random sampling technique was utilised to select 35 research participants consisting of 9 (nine) educators, 1 (one) school health nurse and 25 community healthcare workers. The 1 (one) school health nurse and the 25 community-based healthcare workers were involved in the study by means of structured self-administered questionnaires, while the nine (9) educators (who were not part of the 26) only participated in the study’s two focus group interview sessions. Among others, the study’s findings indicate that the distribution of professionally trained and registered school health nurses is not yet proportionally commensurate to addressing the problem of drug and substance abuse in schools. There has been a need to augment the shortage of school health nurses with community-based school health workers. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The primary aim of this study is to describe and explain the extent of which school managers and primary healthcare facility managers possess knowledge and awareness of their roles in the implementation of the Integrated School Health Policy in Region C in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Basic Education. The study used a qualitative research method by which semi-structured interviews were conducted using a descriptive and explanative design. A sample of ten respondents was elected using a purposive sampling strategy and conventional or content analysis was utilised in the interpretation and analysis of data. The main findings of the study revealed that managers know their role in the implementation of the policy. Although managers are aware of their important roles; they are unable to fulfil them due to a lack of skills. Therefore, the study recommends that the Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education should ensure that managers are skilled and more knowledgeable in implementing the policy objectives. / Public Administration and Operations Management / M. Admin. (Public Admiistration)

The problem this research seeks to address is the support educators receive in teaching HIV and AIDS topics in the classroom. The reason for the choice of topic is to contribute to the revival of HIV and AIDS education in all schools in South Africa. This exploratory study uses the empowerment theory and presents the qualitative research findings based on in-depth interviews with six educators, four school managers and two parents. Thematic content analysis is used to analyse the data. The study found out that the Department of Education had in the past two years provided training workshops for principals of schools, educators and peer educators in the last two years yet the findings from the two schools under study painted a different picture all together. Findings from the interviews show that any support from the Department of Education or any other stakeholder involved in education, such as the Teacher Unions, happened some years ago. Some of the respondents were not very comfortable on this topic as to most of them HIV and AIDS education is not really being taught as it used to years ago. Finally, the research made some recommendations to these two schools on what could be done as a way of reviving HIV and AIDS education to help children and youths to grow up better able to challenge HIV and AIDS. This is in line with the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEC) 2011 report that the education sector has a critical role to play in terms of the delivery of effective HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness programmes. The findings were important as they highlighted the need for the Department of Education to monitor and evaluate the implementation of HIV and AIDS policies in all public schools. They also they gave recommendations on the way forward on HIV and AIDS education in primary schools. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV and AIDS)