Learning Objective #1: Achieve the parents' participation in health care for school children

Learning Objective #2: Reduce the prevalence rate of health problems in school children

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Although school children have been health screened and assessed annually, the prevalence rate of recurrent health problems is highly shown. Objective: The objective of this evaluative research on health screening and assessment in school children was to reduce the prevalence rate of health problems by achieving the parents' participation for health care of their child. Design: A study of the school health records was reported. Population, Sample, Setting, Year: School children health records in the academic year from 2001 to 2004 at Wat Ban Sang School, Ayutthaya Province were gathered between July and November, 2004. Concept or Variables studied together or intervention and outcome variables: The parents' participation for health care of school children would be helpful for reducing the recurrent health problems. Methods: One hundred and forty school health records of school children screened and assessed by the community health nursing faculty in the academic year 2001, 2002, and 2003 were collected and analyzed. Although a complete physical examination had been performed with primary care and health education to students and teachers, the prevalence rate of recorded abnormalities involved obesity, vision, head lice, dental caries, tonsillitis, and skin problems was still drastically high (78.6, 76.4, and 72.1 per 100 school children, respectively. Health consultation with the individual education plans to parents by home visits was implemented between March and May, 2004. Finding: The prevalence rate of all health problems in the academic year 2004 after the participation of parents in health care of their child had decreased by 55% (P=0.001). Conclusion: The participation of parents for health care of their elementary school children was important for the success of school health services. Implications: School health services need the cooperative team among a school health nurse, school children, teachers, and especially parents.