Assessment of availability and working components of school health services in Delhi

Abstract

A total of 204 schools of different types and geographical zones were surveyed. Principals of the selected schools were interviewed to generate data regarding availability and working components of school health during last one year. School health services were non existent in 56 (27.45%) of the total schools and in another 27%, the visits made by school health team were only three or less during last one year. The situation was much better in NDMC and MCD schools but in Govt. of Delhi group, 40 of the 82 schools did not have any school health services. In most of the schools having some form of school health sevices (govt. or private), all the essential areas of health appraisal viz. anthropometry, general health check-up, vision testing, ENT check-up and dental examination were covered. In 21.62% of such schools no health education activity was done by the school health team. Even in the schools having some form of school health services, referral-follow up system did not seem to be working well. In this situation health check-ups merely satisfy administrative requirements and end up with some data for storage. School health services in Delhi, like other health services, are administered through multiple agencies with somewhat overlapping areas and responsibilities. This has more disadvantages than benefits. An integration of various school health schemes in Delhi with uniform system and standards should be attempted.