study on health services provided by student health insurance in some preparatory school clinics in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

This study assesses resources and services provided by school clinics during scholastic year 1993-1994. In addition, it examines student utilization of clinics, and their opinion and suggestions to improve the clinic services. Twelve preparatory school clinics were selected randomly. Interviews were conducted with school physicians and students. Four checklists were prepared for the necessary items of clinic resources. Results indicated that 75% of physicians were general practitioners half of them had poor knowledge regarding preventive aspect of their job responsibilities. All or most items of facilities for health education were lacking in the studied clinics. All school clinics provide curative services and 11 out of 12 carried out comprehensive school examination for their students. Screening and nutrition supervision were provided only in two clinics. It appeared that 76.6% of students visited the clinic during the scholastic year 1993-1994. A significant relation was found between students scholastic year and their visit of the clinic. It was found that 42.7% of students complained of absence of some drugs, while 24.7% of students suggested that coordination between time scheduled for visiting the clinic and class schedule is required. However, 66.4% of students expressed that student health insurance is better than the previous school health services