Association of intestinal helminthic infection and nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are among the commonest infections worldwide. It often affects the poorest communities and has similar geographic distribution with malnutrition. Intestinal helminthic infection contributes to undernutrition through subtle reduction in digestion and absorption of food, chronic inflammation and loss of nutrients. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection and its relationship with nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study of 350 pupils selected through multistage random sampling technique from 24 primary schools in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria from July 2018 to January 2019. Demographic information including age, gender, height, and weight were collected from each participant with a designed collection form. The data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0, and presented as frequency distribution and mean ± SD. The Chisquare test (with Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval) was used to test for association between prevalence of helminthiasis and factors such as gender, age group and school type. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection was 23.7% (83/350). Eighty (96.4%) of the 83 infected pupils were in public schools while only 3 (3.6%) were in private schools (p<0.001). The prevalence of helminthiasis was significantly higher in underweight pupils (34%, OR=2.113, p=0.0065)) and significantly lower (5.4%, OR=0.1637, p=0.0037) in overweight pupils while the prevalence was not significantly associated with normal weight (p=0.5482) or obesity (p=1.000). Conclusions: Intestinal helminthic infection is a public health problem in children with adverse significant relationship with nutritional status. Provision of toilet facilities in schools and periodic de-worming of pupils aimed at reducing loss of nutrients from intestinal helminthiasis are recommended.

Clinical characteristics of people with diabetic ketoacidosis at a clinic in The Gambia: a retrospective study

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains an important cause of hospitalisation and death in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) living in low- and middle-income countries. The clinical profile of patients with DKA varies, and maybe contributory to the outcomes observed globally. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of people with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) seen at a clinic in The Gambia during a one-and-a-half-year period. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review that included people with DM who were seen from June 2017 to December 2018 at the Medical Research Council the Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Biodata, anthropometric and admissions data were extracted for all patients from the electronic medical records system. Data were analysed for differences in clinical and biochemical characteristics on admission for DKA. Results: In total, 23 out of 103 admissions for people with DM were for a diagnosis of DKA during the study period. Sixteen of those included were females and the mean age of all patients was 35 ± 13 years. Two people had type 1 DM and 15 people were categorised as type 2 DM. DM was diagnosed for the first time during admission for DKA for 12 people and 6 people had confirmed sepsis. There were no significant differences in age at diagnosis of DM or biochemical characteristics. Conclusion: DKA was a common indication for admission for people with DM in the Medical Research Council the Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the majority of patients with DKA had type 2 DM. Further studies are needed to describe DKA in this setting more accurately.

The relationship between menstrual hygiene management, practices, and school absenteeism among adolescent girls in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background. Factors associated with menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and practices affect school absenteeism, with up to 7 million girls missing 25% of their given school year each month in South Africa (SA). Objective. To identify the most significant factors associated with MHM and practices affecting school absenteeism among adolescents in Johannesburg, SA. Methods. A secondary data analyses of a cross sectional study among 489 adolescent girls from 30 schools in Johannesburg, SA was conducted. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistical regression analysis was conducted for all variables affecting school absenteeism using STATA version 14. Results. Female adolescents who had pre-menarcheal training were more likely to attend school (odds ratio (OR) 1.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04 - 3.73; p= 0.038). Those who disposed of their absorbent materials by burning, throwing them by the roadside or on farmland were almost 2× more likely to be absent from school (OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.05 - 4.08; p= 0.038). Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) was associated with higher likelihood of being absent from school (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.29 - 5.29; p=0.008). Conclusion. This present study reveals that MHM and practices related to school absenteeism extend beyond the availability of sanitary materials. These findings can be used to create dialogue between various stakeholders about best practices for reducing school absenteeism related to MHM

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Diabetes Mellitus in Public Secondary Schools Teachers in Ekiti State

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a non-communicable disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The estimated prevalence of diabetes in Africa is 1% in rural areas and ranges from 5% to 7% in urban sub-Saharan Africa. 3 Nigeria is the most populous country in African and she contributes about one sixth of the Africa's diabetic population. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and accessing its risk factors among public secondary school teachers in Ekiti State. Methodology: This survey is a cross-sectional study carried out among 357 public school teachers in Ekiti State using a multi stage sampling technique. Data was gathered using a semi structured questionnaire and Accu Check Glucometer machine for Fasting Blood Sugar. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23 and level of significance was taken as P = 0.05. Result: Mean age was 42.9±9.2 years. Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus was 5.6%. Family history (15%), Alcohol intake (14.0%) and smoking (11.2%) were major risk factors in the respondents. Poor vision is the main complication being experienced by the respondents (40.3%). Predictors of Diabetes Mellitus as found by this study include increasing age (starting from above 40years), cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and positive family history. Conclusion: Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is high compared to what it was before. Alcohol intake, smoking and family history were major risk factors while poor vision is the commonest complication. It is recommended that all efforts must be made to put in mechanism that will halt this undesired progression through control of risk factors.

Evaluation des connaissances théoriques des étudiants en médecine sur les gestes de premiers secours en République Démocratique du Congo / Theoretical knowledge assessment of medical students on first aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: La République Démocratique du Congo fait régulièrement face à plusieurs urgences sanitaires. La présence des médecins en première ligne dans la riposte y est un phénomène spontané. Des lacunes ont été identifiées dans la connaissance des premiers secours au sein de la population; d'où la nécessité de formation. Les étudiants en médecine y joueraient un rôle crucial. Cette étude évalue les connaissances théoriques en premiers secours chez ceux-ci. Méthodologie: Notre étude est de type descriptif et transversal. Elle a été conduite du 01 Juin au 30 Août 2021 à la Faculté de médecine de l'Université Catholique du Graben. Notre échantillon était constitué de 279 étudiants. La collecte des données a été faite par un questionnaire d'enquête couvrant divers aspects des premiers secours. Les données ont été traitées par le logiciel Epi Info version 3.4.5. Résultats: Aucun participant n'a démontré un niveau satisfaisant de connaissances théoriques en premiers secours tandis que 38,7% et 61,3 % ont démontré un niveau intermédiaire et bas respectivement. Une corrélation positive a été notée entre la promotion d'étude, une formation antérieure en premiers secours et le niveau de connaissance. Le média est la principale source d'information. Près de la moitié des étudiants ont affirmé n'avoir jamais posé un geste de premier secours à cause du manque de connaissance (47,7%). La quasi-totalité a montré une attitude positive en rapport avec l'introduction d'une formation en premiers secours en milieu universitaire. Conclusion: Cette étude a démontré un faible niveau de connaissances des gestes de premiers secours parmi les étudiants en médicine, mais une volonté d'apprendre. Il y a nécessité d'intégrer la formation en gestes de premiers secours dans tous les curriculums de l'enseignement en RDC

Introduction: The Democratic Republic of Congo regularly faces several health emergencies. The presence of medical doctors in the first line of the response is a spontaneous phenomenon. Gaps in first aid knowledge have been identified in the population; hence the need for training. Medical students could play a crucial role in this context. This study assesses the theoretical knowledge of first aid among them. Methods: Our study is descriptive and transversal. It was conducted from June 01 to August 30, 2021 in the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Graben. Our sample consisted of 279 students. Data collection was done through a survey questionnaire covering various aspects of first aid. Data were processed using Epi Info software. The chi-square test was used to estimate the association of variables with knowledge and a p-value. Results: No participant demonstrated a satisfactory level of theoretical knowledge of first aid while 38.7% and 61.3% demonstrated an intermediate and low level respectively. A positive association was noted between the study level, a previous training in first aid and the level of knowledge. The media is the main source of information. Nearly half of the students said they had never taken a rescue action because of lack of knowledge (47.7%). The vast majority (98%) had a positive attitude regarding the introduction of first aid in school's curriculum. Conclusion: Our study showed a poor level of first aid knowledge among medical students, but a great willingness to learn. There is a great need to incorporate first aid trainings in all training curricula in the DRC.

The sexual and reproductive health needs of school-going young people in the context of COVID-19 in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: The impact of school closures due to COVID-19 raised widespread concerns about children's health and well-being. We examine the impact on the sexual health needs of learners in the context of COVID-19 related lockdowns in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods: In july­November 2020 and August­November 2021 we conducted 24 in-depth interviews and 8 group discussions with teachers and learners from 4 schools, community members and key education stakeholders. All interviews were conducted by telephone. We used a thematic analysis approach and Nvivo 12 software to manage the data.Results: Four main themes related to the COVID-19 pandemic emerged from the data: the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of learners in the lead-up to the pandemic; the impact of COVID-19 on learners' SRH and wellbeing; the opportunities schools provided to support sexual well-being of learners during the pandemic; and the role of schools in supporting SRH for learners during the pandemic. Learners and stakeholders reported that the SRH of young people was affected by alcohol misuse, poor SRH knowledge and few pathways to link learners with services. Stakeholders working with schools reported that a lack of access to biomedical interventions (e.g., contraception) increased learner pregnancies. Gender-based violence in learners' households was reported to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic related to loss of income. School closures disrupted the provision of a safe space to provide SRH and HIV-education through Life Orientation lessons and school nurse talks. This loss of a safe space also left learners vulnerable to sexual and physical violence. However, once schools re-opened, daily COVID-19 screening in schools provided the opportunity to identify and support vulnerable children who had other social needs (food and uniforms). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased SRH needs and vulnerability of school-going children in a high HIV-burden rural setting. School shutdowns reduced the opportunity for schools to provide a vital safe space and information to enhance SRH for adolescents. Schools play a vital health promotion and social protection role.

Water quality and hygiene behavior in Burkina Faso: The impact of locally produced sodium hypochlorite solution in schools

Introduction.Sodium hypochlorite is a crucial element in the water treatment process. We aimed to verify if schools that lack adequate access to water and don't provide hygiene education courses would improve water quality after an intervention program. Methods.Twenty schools from the rural area of Burkina Faso were equipped with electro-chlorinator devices that produce sodium hypochlorite and received training to make water drinkable. Data related to behavioral change was collected. In addition, microbiological analysis of fecal coliforms, total coliforms, and fecal streptococci was performed in the drinking water from water stations or water storage containers. These indicators were measured before and two years after the program in six schools that participated, paired with three control schools from the same region. Results.Before the intervention, no schools practiced treating their water. After intervention, schools did it daily. WASH courses and water treatment training were also observed in intervention schools. Only the samples belonging to the control schools contained microorganisms in the drinking water after the intervention, particularly fecal coliforms and total coliforms. Fecal streptococci were not detected in any of the samples analyzed. Before the intervention, 50% of water samples from the intervention group and 66% from the control group were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Conclusion.Schools became independent of external disinfectant production after receiving electro-chlorinator devices and proper training to comply with WASH measures. Our findings might be useful to public health practitioners trying to implement sustainable programs.

Representation and methods of normalisation: narratives of disability within a South African tertiary institution

Background: The manner in which disability is understood influences how individuals within a society, its institutions, policies and structures are able to accommodate and support people with disabilities (PWD) (Kaplan 2000). Understanding how students with disabilities (SWD) within a higher education context perceive and experience disability as well as how key players, namely, lecturers and disability unit (DU) staff, who influence that experience, is important in further shaping policy and providing a truly inclusive environment for all within HEIs. Objectives: The study aimed to examine the narratives of disability among SWD, lecturers and the DU within a tertiary institution, with a view to better understand their experiences and required initiatives to address the challenges of disability within a higher tertiary institution. Method: The study drew on three theoretical frameworks: social constructionism, feminist disability theory and the Foucauldian perspective. Data for the study were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 SWD, seven members of staff from the institution's DU and five lecturers from within the School of Applied Human Sciences. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings suggested that in spite of both facilitating and positive representations of disability, the dominant representation of disability was perceived as challenging and as a result, disempowering. Students with disabilities were found to adapt, and consequently modify their behaviour by disassociating from their disability in order to fit in. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for creating spaces and engagement within an HEI context that both challenge negative discourses of disability, and at the same time, promote positive representations of disability

Prévalence de l'obésité et du surpoids en milieu scolaire, oasis de Tafilalet, sud-est du Maroc

Introduction: l'obésité représente un sérieux problème de santé publique qui a un impact direct sur la santé physique et psychologique des individus. L'objectif du présent travail est de déterminer la prévalence de l'obésité et du surpoids en milieu scolaire urbain et rural, chez une population infantile oasienne.Méthodes: nous avons entrepris une étude transversale descriptive au sein des établissements scolaires publics urbains et ruraux de l'oasis de Tafilalet. Nous avons recruté un échantillon représentatif de 3684 enfants scolarisés appartenant à 39 écoles publiques primaires. Résultats: la moyenne d'âge était de 9,81 ± 2,13 ans. L'échantillon total s'est réparti en 1794 garçons (48,70) et 1890 filles (51,30). 2309 appartenant à l'urbain (62,70%) et 1375 au rural (37,30%). Selon les références de l'organisation mondiale de la santé, notre étude a révélé un taux d'obésité de 1,9% et 10,8 pour le surpoids. L'obésité et le surpoids n'étaient pas significativement associés avec le sexe des enfants.Conclusion: la prévalence de l'obésité dans l'oasis de Tafilalet est inférieure aux données nationales et internationales, le mode de vie et les habitudes alimentaires de cette population semblent être un facteur protecteur contre l'obésité et le surpoids

Comparison of two diagnostic techniques to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infections in Cameroonian school children

Background: The Kato-Katz technique is recommended for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection by the World Health Organization. However, egg counts are subject to variability. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni infection in school children using two different techniques and to recommend the technique that should be routinely used in the diagnosis of this infection. Methodology: Field investigations on faecal samples from 299 Cameroonian school children were carried out in 2016 to compare the effectiveness of the Kato-Katz and Formalin-ether techniques in diagnosis of S. mansoni infections. Results: Schistosome eggs were detected in 37 (12.3%) samples with the Kato-Katz technique and 61 (20.4%) samples with the Formalin-ether technique. The difference between the prevalence observed for the two techniques was significant in males and age group 10 - 12 years (p < 0.5). Conclusion: The Formalin-ether technique was more sensitive than the Kato-Katz method for detecting S. mansoni eggs in faecal matter. Despite its cost, the Formalin-ether technique can be routinely used in the laboratory for epidemiological studies of intestinal schistosomiasis

Low back pain among primary school teachers in rural Kenya: prevalence and contributing factors

Background: Low back pain (LBP) has been recognised as a common occupational problem with a high prevalence among work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although there appears to be a high prevalence of LBP among school teachers, there is inadequate information on the prevalence and predisposing factors of LBP among primary school teachers in rural Western Kenya.Aim: To determine the prevalence, factors associated with LBP and physical disability caused by LBP.Setting: The setting was public schools in rural Western Kenya selected by simple random sampling method.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary teachers from public schools using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included information on LBP, demographic data, occupational and psychosocial factors and disability score. The 12-month prevalence, associated factors and LBP disability were analysed.Results: The 12-month self-reported prevalence of LBP among primary teachers was 64.98%, with close to 70% of them reporting minimal disability. The logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 1.692, p < 0.02) was associated with LBP and high supervisor support (OR: 0.46, p < 0.003) was negatively associated with LBP.Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among primary school teachers in rural Western Kenya is 64.98%, with the majority of them reporting minimal disability. The identified risk factors were female gender and low supervisor support. The presence of work-related psychosocial risk factors in this study suggests a comprehensive approach in evaluation and management of LBP. Preventive measures should be in place to prevent and reduce the progression of LBP disability

Low back pain among primary school teachers in Rural Kenya: Prevalence and contributing factors

Background: Low back pain (LBP) has been recognised as a common occupational problem with a high prevalence among work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Although there appears to be a high prevalence of LBP among school teachers, there is inadequate information on the prevalence and predisposing factors of LBP among primary school teachers in rural Western Kenya. Aim: To determine the prevalence, factors associated with LBP and physical disability caused by LBP. Setting: The setting was public schools in rural Western Kenya selected by simple random sampling method. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary teachers from public schools using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included information on LBP, demographic data, occupational and psychosocial factors and disability score. The 12-month prevalence, associated factors and LBP disability were analysed. Results: The 12-month self-reported prevalence of LBP among primary teachers was 64.98%, with close to 70% of them reporting minimal disability. The logistic regression analysis showed that female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 1.692, p < 0.02) was associated with LBP and high supervisor support (OR: 0.46, p < 0.003) was negatively associated with LBP. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among primary school teachers in rural Western Kenya is 64.98%, with the majority of them reporting minimal disability. The identified risk factors were female gender and low supervisor support. The presence of work-related psychosocial risk factors in this study suggests a comprehensive approach in evaluation and management of LBP. Preventive measures should be in place to prevent and reduce the progression of LBP disability

Nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary school children in Tshwane Metropole, South Africa

Background: The increasing prevalence of being overweight and obesity in South African school children requires interventions that are evidence based. Nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) studies are thus needed to provide evidence for the planning of interventions that address and prevent nutrition problems in school children. Aim: The aim of the study on which this article is based was to assess nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of grade 4­6 learners from three primary schools in a South African township. The article seeks to highlight the key results of this quantitative study. Setting: The study took place in three primary schools in Mamelodi township, Pretoria, South Africa. Methods: Data were collected from grade 4­6 learners using self-administered questionnaires. After coding and collating data using Epi info TM, STATA was then used for analysis. A description of KAP results was carried out using simple descriptive statistics, while the associations were tested using a chi-square test. Results: Learners displayed inadequate knowledge of a balanced diet (23%) as well as low knowledge of food groups. With regard to attitudes, the most liked food group was the drinks and snacks (72.9%), while the least liked food group was the fruits and vegetables (8.11%). With regard to practices, the most frequently consumed food group was the drinks and snacks (72.6%), while fruits and vegetables were the least consumed. However, 78.91% of the learners displayed very good nutrition-related practices, such as making their own breakfast and eating breakfast. Conclusion: The inadequate knowledge displayed by learners indicates a gap with nutrition education in the curriculum. There is a need to explore innovative and novel approaches to improve nutrition knowledge of school children. Parents also need to be targeted to ensure better outcomes

Evolution of attitudes, trends and perceptions of smoking among middle and secondary school students in the Gharb Region, Morocco, 2010­2015

Background: Tobacco use is an important public health issue. Morocco implemented a tobacco control programme, which has been ongoing among students at middle and secondary schools since 2010. Aim: This study aims to compare the trend in smoking among the programme beneficiaries with the results of the initial study conducted prior to the implementation of the programme. Setting: This study was conducted in middle and secondary schools of the Gharb Region in Morocco between 2010 and 2015. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2010 and 2015 in the middle and secondary schools of the Gharb Region. Multistage cluster sampling was used. The information was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: In the first study in 2010, 5312 students participated, and in the second one in 2015, 4208 students participated. The level of information on smoking and its effects was higher in 2015 (94.0%) than in 2010 (92.5%). In 2010, parents, primary schools and television and radio were more involved in student information on smoking compared to 2015. The proportion of students claiming that tobacco was not a pleasure (86.3%) and that it does not calm nerves (76.5%) was significantly higher in 2015 than in 2010. The prevalence of smoking increased significantly in 2015 (2.9%) against 2010 (1.8%). Conclusion: This study reports the general positive evolution in knowledge about smoking and its effects. Despite that the prevalence of smokers increased in 2015. The results suggest the need to address family influences on adolescent smoking and to investigate participation of schools in education and training students in tobacco dependence prevention

An appraisal of the school health programme in primary schools in a rural community in Nigeria

Background:In a developing country with a large population and a high childhood mortality rate, it is important to have a good and properly organized School Health Programme to cater for the health needs of school children. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the quality and efficacy of the School Health Programme in public primary schools in a rural community in Nigeria. Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out in all the five public primary schools in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. An observational checklist was used, adapted from a similar study by Kuponiyi et al.A scoring system was used to grade the schools as good, fair or poor. Descriptive statistics were generated using SPSS version 21.Results:The public primary schools had good healthful school environments and school feeding services,but poor skill-based health education and school health services. Conclusions:From the assessment of the School Health Programme in these schools, it was seen that overall,the schools had a fair School Health Programme in place,although they were deficient in some vital facilities. It is necessary for all stakeholders in these schools to provide the materials and human resources needed to achieve an effective School Health Programme

Magnitude of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors in rural school children, Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitoses are among the most commonly encountered infections among school children in poor regions of the world. Up to 600 million school children are living in areas where there is high transmission of parasitic worms. Intestinal parasitic infection has been found to have a great effect on nutritional and cognitive status, school absenteeism and dropouts among school age children. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of intestinal parasites infections and associated factors among children in a rural primary school, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2016 among Gob Gob Primary School children. The study participants were provided with labeled stool cups to give stool specimen. The stool samples were processed via direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and data on factors associated with intestinal parasitic infection through face-to-face interview. RESULTS: Out of the 273 school children, 84(30.8%) were infected with at least one parasite species. Higher proportion of intestinal parasitic infection was recorded for boys (38.9%), the age group 6-10 years (38.9%), children with untrimmed finger nails (36.4%) and among those whose drinking water was from a stream (56.1%). The predominant species identified were A. lumburicoides 28(33.3%), H. nana 12(14%), E. histolytica/dispar 11(13%), G. lamblia 9(11%), hookworms 7(8.3%), Taenia spp 6(7%), E. vermicularis 6(7%), T.trichuria 4(4.8%) and S. stericoralis 1(1.2%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that intestinal parasites were prevalent among the school children in focus. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant species

Secondary school teachers' experiences related to learner teenage pregnancies and unexpected deliveries at school

Background: The incidence of learner teenage pregnancies can be reduced, provided that the major stakeholders, which include the Department of Education and the Department of Health, combine to address this issue. Despite the implementation of Life Orientation as a school subject, which focuses on sexual behaviour, health, decision-making, pregnancy risk, sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of learner teenage pregnancies at secondary schools remains alarmingly high.Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teachers' experiences of learner teenage pregnancies in secondary schools in a province in South Africa.Setting: Secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal.Method: A qualitative approach with exploratory, descriptive and contextual strategies was used in this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers who had been selected through purposive sampling. Tesch's steps of systematic open coding were used to analyse all of the interviews.Results: The results that emerged during the data analysis indicate that firstly, teachers' experiences of having pregnant learners in their classrooms are negative as these learners are frequently absent from school, perform badly and drop out of school. Secondly, teachers' experiences related to unexpected deliveries are coloured by their lack of the necessary skills and competencies to deal and their resultant insecurity. Thirdly, the teachers feel that they do not receive the assistance they need to deal with teenage pregnancies as well as unexpected deliveries.Conclusions: Collaboration between and continuous support from the Department of Health and the Department of Education are crucial if teenage pregnancies at secondary schools are to be handled with greater success. Support from health care personnel should include guidance on contraception and health campaigns should target both the teachers and secondary school learners. Furthermore, coping strategies for the teachers should form part of the preservice curriculum of teachers

Health and educational achievement of school-aged children: The impact of anaemia and iron status on learning

Background: Anaemia is a common blood disorder in children and is known to cause complications such as lethargy and stress on bodily organs. Children from disadvantaged communities often fail to achieve their age-related potential with iron deficiency anaemia stated as a risk factor through causing inattentiveness and learning problems. Limited evidence exists for the adverse effects of iron deficiency anaemia on the developing child's brain from South African studies. Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the local prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency and to examine their association with psychomotor development and school performance in school-aged children. Setting: This study was conducted in a peri-urban disadvantaged community from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods: Children aged 6 to 8 years from KwaZulu-Natal were enrolled (n = 184). Three parameters of assessment were used: clinical data, biochemical data (haemoglobin levels and iron studies) and school performance (interviews with caregivers, teachers and the children). Anaemia presence and iron deficiency were the hypothesised mediating variables through which growth, development and school performance were influenced. Results: A high point prevalence of anaemia (23.4%), iron deficiency anaemia (4.9%) and helminth infection (27.1%) was identified. Impaired cognitive assessment scores (20.7%) were prevalent in the children sampled. Behavioural problems (4.3%), poor memory function (4.3%) and impaired attention (1.1%) were of low prevalence. Anaemia and iron deficiency were both associated with impaired fine motor skills (p < 0.05). Anaemia was significantly associated with low cognitive scores (p = 0.01). Neither anaemia, iron status nor helminth infection significantly predicted school performance in the children sampled. Conclusions: The point prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency among the sampled children was higher than the national prevalence. The sample size was however inadequate for drawing statistical conclusions about psychomotor development and school performance because of the low prevalence of the different outcomes that were examined. Practical challenges faced in conducting this investigation in rural South African schools were discussed

The association between under-nutrition, school performance and perceptual motor functioning in first-grade South African learners: The North-West Child Health Integrated with Learning and Development study

Background: Early childhood is characterised by an immense spurt of growing and learning where under-nutrition can have adverse effects on the neuro-developmental health and school performance of children. A full understanding of the relationship between school performance and motor functioning skills and malnourishment in school beginners is still lacking. Aim: To determine the association between indices of under-nutrition and how it relates to school performance and motor functioning skills of first-grade learners. Setting: North West province (NWP) of South Africa (SA). Method: The baseline data of the stratified, randomised North-West Child Health Integrated with Learning and Development (NW-CHILD) longitudinal study were used. Grade 1 learners (N= 816, 420 boys, 396 girls, mean age 6.78+ years) from four school districts in the NWP of SA took part in the study. Indices of under-nutrition were determined by Z-scores (−2standard deviation [s.d.]) for stunting (height-for-age [HAZ]) and wasting and underweight (Z-score for body mass index) using the 2007 World Health Organization reference sample. The Bruininks­Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Short Form and the Visual Motor Integration fourth edition were used to assess different aspects of motor functioning, while school performance in mathematics, reading and writing was assessed by teachers according to the National South African standards of assessments. Results: Both HAZ and Z-score for weight-for-age correlated significantly with school performance and motor functioning skills (r> 2.0, p< 0.05), while visual perception was moderately associated (r< 0.30) with mathematics in HAZ and Z-score for weight-for-height (WHZ) children. Motor functioning of HAZ and WHZ children was significantly poorer (p<0.05) compared to typical children, while underweight was not associated with any outcome variables.Conclusion: Moderate forms of stunting and wasting influence school performance and motor functioning of school beginners negatively, while an association between visual perceptual abilities and inferior mathematics, reading and writing suggests a close link with inferior cognitive information processing in stunted and wasted children. These barriers should be addressed as poor scholastic success in Grade 1 may influence future school performance and the subsequent well-being of children

Secondary school teachers' experiences related to learner teenage pregnancies and unexpected deliveries at school

Background: The incidence of learner teenage pregnancies can be reduced, provided that the major stakeholders, which include the Department of Education and the Department of Health, combine to address this issue. Despite the implementation of Life Orientation as a school subject, which focuses on sexual behaviour, health, decision-making, pregnancy risk,sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of learner teenage pregnancies at secondary schools remains alarmingly high. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teachers' experiences of learner teenage pregnancies in secondary schools in a province in South Africa. Setting: Secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. Method: A qualitative approach with exploratory, descriptive and contextual strategies was used in this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers who had been selected through purposive sampling. Tesch's steps of systematic open coding were used to analyse all of the interviews. Results: The results that emerged during the data analysis indicate that firstly, teachers' experiences of having pregnant learners in their classrooms are negative as these learners are frequently absent from school, perform badly and drop out of school. Secondly, teachers' experiences related to unexpected deliveries are coloured by their lack of the necessary skills and competencies to deal and their resultant insecurity. Thirdly, the teachers feel that they do not receive the assistance they need to deal with teenage pregnancies as well as unexpected deliveries. Conclusions: Collaboration between and continuous support from the Department of Health and the Department of Education are crucial if teenage pregnancies at secondary schools are to be handled with greater success. Support from health care personnel should include guidance on contraception and health campaigns should target both the teachers and secondary school learners. Furthermore, coping strategies for the teachers should form part of the preservice curriculum of teachers