Environmental health assessment of primary schools in southeastern Nigeria: implication for a healthy school environment in developing countries
Ezeonu, C.T.; Anyansi, M.N.
World Health and Population 12(2): 18-22
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1718-3340 PMID: 21157194 DOI: 10.12927/whp.2013.22073Document Number: 217358
In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we used a validated school health program evaluation scale (SHPE) to assess the environmental health status of primary schools in Ebonyi State, southeastern Nigeria. Parameters assessed included water supply, sewage and refuse disposal, school building ventilation, lighting and seating, as well as the availability of toilet tissue, basins for washing hands, regular cleaning of toilets, and so forth. Of all the schools assessed, only two schools, both private, attained the minimum acceptable SHPE score of 57. The mean SHPE score of the private schools (50.40) was significantly higher than that of the public schools (28.69) (t-test, p=.00). Policy reforms are needed that would ensure a healthy primary school environment in Nigeria and in other developing countries with similar settings.