Comparison of School Health Services among Private and Government Owned Schools of Belgaum.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Children are the creators and the shapers of tomorrow and school marks an important early milestone in the child’s life long journey of intellectual and psychological development. Objective: To assess the school health services in government and private schools of Belgaum. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at 3 Primary Health Centres and 3 Urban Health Centres in Belgaum. All the government and private schools were selected and necessary data of child school health services was collected based on criteria recommended by Indian Academy of Pediatrics. Results: Of the total schools, 53.76% of schools provided hygienic drinking water, 64% of the schools did not have adequate toilet facilities, 30% of schools did not have adequate ventilation and lighting, 34.40% of schools did not have playground and 90% of schools did not have safe and proper transportation facility. When private and government schools were compared private schools were better in providing services like safe and proper transportation, properly ventilated and illuminated class rooms ,where as kitchen facility was available more in government schools (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found that none of the schools met all the 10 criteria. Although 50% of them followed 4 to 5 criteria.