[Synchronising school entry health examinations in Lower-Saxony, Germany]. / Synchronisierung von Schuleingangsuntersuchungen in Niedersachsen.

BACKGROUND: In the German federal state of Lower-Saxony the districts are responsible for conducting school entry health examinations. There exist two different standard protocols for diagnosis and documentation, denoted as Weser-Ems (WE) and SOPHIA. In order to analyse and improve the comparability between these two protocols, a working group was established in 2006. One of the objectives was to adjust the protocols in such a way that in the future the collected data will allow for joint health reporting. METHODS: Each variable was discussed individually by the working group, and if diagnosis or documentation differed between the two protocols, specific modifications were proposed. For certain variables external expert opinions were obtained. For those variables that had to be revised quite generally, specific sub-working groups were established. As prerequisite for implementation, the recommendations of the working group had to be accepted by the user groups through majority votes. RESULTS: Of 88 (WE) or, respectively, 66 (SOPHIA) variables, 39 (WE) or, respectively, 34 variables initially fulfilled the requirements for a joint analysis. As a result of the working group, for more than 20 other variables the requirements for a joint analysis could be achieved. As soon as the sub-working groups have completed their work, also the issues of physical coordination, cognitive abilities and psychological health will be available for joint analysis. DISCUSSION: The synchronisation of school entry health examinations in Lower-Saxony is an example of how different protocols of diagnosis and documentation can be adapted to each other to enable joint data analysis without loosing their individual characteristics.

[Hepatitis B prevention at a school for mentally handicapped patients]. / Hepatitis-B-Prävention an einer Schule für Geistigbehinderte.

Between 1988 and 1993 two female teachers of a school for mentally handicapped children in Osnabrück were infected with hepatitis B. Some of these children are hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. We offered from May 1994 through 1995 free information tests and vaccinations to children, parents and teachers to improve hepatitis B immunity. At the end of that time 65-70% of children and teachers were immune because of the vaccination, 6% because of an earlier hepatitis B infection. The paedagogic, hygienic, and medical problems related to the risk of infection are discussed, especially with regard to the new regulation in Lower Saxony and the new recommendation by the Permanent Committee for Vaccination Problems in the Federal Republic of Germany.