Evaluation of School Health Services in Nomadic Primary Schools in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Schools health services are procedures which are established to appraise the health status of pupils and
school personnel, counsel pupils, parents and others concerning appraisal findings, carry out follow-up
services, provide emergency care of injuries and sudden illness, help prevent and control communicable
diseases and encourage the correction of remedial defects. Previous studies have shown low levels of
positive health attitude and practices, resulting in a high prevalence of malaria, tooth decay.
Gastrointestinal and skin diseases. Therefore, this study evaluated school health services in nomadic
primary schools in Southwestern Nigeria in order to identify areas needing improvement. The study
employed descriptive survey research design. Total enumeration procedure was used to include all the
1,005 nomadic primary school teachers in Southwestern Nigeria. The instrument used for the study were
observation checklist, Focus Group Discussion Guide, and questionnaire which was validated through the
use of test-retest method with a reliability coefficient of 2.88. Five hypotheses were postulated and tested at
0.05 alpha level using Binomial test. Based on the result four hypotheses were accepted while one was not
accepted as shown by the observed binomial proportion of respondents’ responses to the statements on all
the variable. The results showed that the following activities were not significantly carried out in Nomadic
primary schools in Southwestern Nigeria: health appraisal (0.2895;<0.05); follow-up services (0.407;
P<0.05); emergency care and first aid (0.3602; P<0.05). However, communicable diseases were
significantly controlled in the school (0.6218; p<0.05). It was concluded that school health services was not
given necessary attention in nomadic primary schools in Southwestern Nigeria. Hence, it was
recommended that for a functional school health services, the stakeholders (Federal, State, Local
Governments and the nomadic communities) should endeavour to put in place health appraisal, health
guidance and counseling follow-up services and emergency care and first aid in nomadic primary schools
in Southwestern Nigeria.