Ten health messages for primary school teachers

(The following information was developed by Kopano Mukelabai.)

1. Teachers should be familiar with the contents of "Facts for Life" booklet.

2. Children who are frequently absent from school may have a health problem. Refer such children to the school nurse or doctor for assessment.

3. At the beginning of each school year, all children, especially new comers to the school, must be checked to ensure that they are up to date with required childhood immunisations.

4. Hearing and visual problems are common among school children. Children who are not performing well in class or those with attention deficit should be assessed for hearing and visual disorders.

5. Skin disorders are common among school children and could spread to others. Early treatment will improve attention in class.

6. In malaria endemic regions any child with fever should be referred to the nearest health facility for diagnosis and treatment.

7. Anaemia in school children is commonly caused by malaria, hookworm infection or due to poor nutrition. Anaemia can be easily treated. Suspect anaemia in children with poor attention in class, lack of energy and constant absenteeism from school.

8. Dental caries are easily prevented by teaching children good dental hygiene e.g. the necessity to brush their teeth regularly, especially after eating sweets or chocolates.

9. All children with speech disorders must be referred early for assessment.

10. Children and their teachers can act as agents of change in improving community health, e.g. promoting handwashing before meals or after toilet use can prevent diarrhoea and other communicable diseases.