A PAPER ON HEALTH SERVICES AND THE SCHOOL DELIVERED AT THE THREE DAYS PHN TRAINING WORKSHOP BY DR. F. O. ADEYEMO

INTRODUCTION Public Health Nursing (PHN) performs valuable services to individual students, schools and the community at large. The primary goal of PHN in schools is to reduce student absenteeism and prevention of communicable diseases. The PHN serves ideally as school nurses. The rationale for placing nurses in school is based on the concept that a child with unmet health needs will have difficulty learning. School nurses are ideally placed to assess physical, emotional, mental and social health needs of the school children for whom they care. Chronic medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, Type I diabetes and mental health problems can increase absenteeism and affect learning. The school nurse can help manage the medical care of students who have chronic diseases, and promote education from the primary to the tertiary level.

OBJECTIVES To promote positive health. To prevent diseases. Early diagnosis, treatment and follow up of defects. To provide a healthful environment

HEALTH SEVRVICES PROVIDED IN SCHOOLS Health appraisal of school children and personnel. Remedial measures and follow up. Prevention of communicable diseases. Healthful school environment Nutritional services First aid and emergency care Mental health Dental health Eye health Health education Education of the handicapped children Proper maintenance and use of school health records Health promotion for school staff physical education Family community involvement

CONCLUSION In conclusion a Public Health nurse should be prepared professionally to practice independently especially as school nurse. In addition to routine care such as medication management and screenings, she may act as the first responder in health emergencies for both students and school staffers. The school nurse also performs public health functions such as disease surveillance, to increase the opportunity to recognize a communicable disease outbreak and intervene early. School nurses also helps to assure immunization compliance and promotes overall student health. She may perform a wide variety of direct care tasks such as screening students for scoliosis, vision or hearing problems. When a problem is identified, the nurse will make referrals to the appropriate specialist or work with the primary care doctor to assure the child’s needs are met. The school nurse collaborates with parents or other family members and serves as the liaison between school personnel, family, health-care providers and the community at large.