Environmental health assessment of primary schools in Norabad Mamasani City (Fars Province) in 2012

Background and purpose: School, as a reliable place in educating students, has an important role in training. The aim of this study was the assessment of environmental health of primary schools in Norabad Mamasani city of Fars Province. Materials and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive and cross-sectional study, all of 26 primary schools in Norabad Mamasani city were surveyed by using census methodology. For data collection, it was used an approved form of safety and health school status by Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS software using chi-square statistical test at the significant level with p=0.05. Results: Results showed that 19(73.7%) and7 (26.93%) of the 26 schools were public and private schools, respectively. 15 (57.7%) schools have the building of the new build. The results of the research indicated that there is not a significant difference between the health status of hand washing services, water fountain system, toilet and classrooms in the position of the old building and new building according the Chi-square test (p > 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between the per capita health service (hand washing services, water fountain system and toilet) in public and private schools (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The most schools had to favorable and hygiene situation of environmental health situation regarding the Health Instruction Guide for Environment of Schools. But, it should be improved the classroom, water fountain system and closets per capita and the distance of some schools from annoying centers. The authorities of Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health should pay more attention and interest in this regard and dedicate proper budgets to solve health problems.