Evaluation of Enviromental Health in Primary Schools, Kemalpasa-Izmir

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the situation of environmental health and the differences in environmental health among primary schools of county seat and rural area in Kemalpasa county, Izmir. METHODS: Fourty six primary schools in Kemalpasa county constituted the research universe this cross-sectionel study. We intended to reach all of these schools. Surrounding conditions, toilet hygene, waste materials, food and water safety of the schools were evaluated. Data were collected from school administrators by questionnaire and by measuring and observing some of the variables. RESULTS: Of the 46 primary schools found in Kemalpasa county 9 are located in the county seat and 37 are located rural area. The mean number of classrooms was 10.8±1.4 (1-38) and students was 320.1±55.9 (7-1323) in these schools. Twenty (43.5%) of these schools were located on the main roads with heavy traffic, 8 (17.4%) had playground features appropriate for accidents, 31 (67.4%) had enviromentproffesionals, 33 (71.7%) had preventive walls around them, 28 (60.9%) had connection to the canalization system, 31 (67.4%) had the necessary measures taken for fire. Of the 16 (34.8%) schools those had canteens, 12 (75.0%) of them were not licenced for sanitation, 11 (68,8%) of them could not get systematic porter inspection. Among these primary schools 37 (80.4%) had sufficient amount of soap and 5 (10.9%) had paper towels. Fourty four (95.7%) of the schools had their water analyzed at various intervals, 17 (37.0%) had water tanks in case of inadequate water supply. There was a significant difference among schools in the county seat of Kemalpasa compared to schools in the countryside on being connected to canalization network (p=0.007), on having necessary fire precautions (p=0.021), on providing waste baskets in the school coridors (p=0.001) and on making porter examinations in the canteen personels (p=0.035). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the primary schools in the county of Kemalpasa have important deficiencies in their environmental health conditions. All schools must evaluate these conditions according to the measurings of Turkish Standardization Institute [TAF Prev Med Bull. 2008; 7(5): 385-390]