Study of health aspects among rural and urban school children, Egypt, 1995/1996

ABSTRACT

To find out the epidemiologic differentials that touch the health of vulnerable group from school children in the rural and urban communities, a multistage systematic random sample [195 students] was taken out from the target population. By an analytical descriptive study, a designed sheet-questionnaire form was perfectly done to meet the objectives of the study. It includes socioeconomic and demographic aspects, medical history and clinical examination, measurement of height in cm and weight in kg, special scores for scholastic achievement, urine and stool analysis and knowledge, attitude and practice of the school children towards parasitic infections. The results have revealed that 16%and 66% of rural and 12.6% and 51.6% of urban school children were from low and moderate socioeconomic standards, respectively. 46.2% of rural and urban children were in good general condition and their mean height 130. 2 +/- 21, 5 cm and 141.6 +/- 18,5 and weight 35.8 +/- 15, 0 and 40.9 cm, respectively. The good educational ability was 25%and 22.1% among rural and urban pupils. Schistosomiasis was prevalent among rural ones. More than one third of rural and urban pupils have right knowledge, positive attitude and good [healthy] practice towards the parasitic infections