Cent Eur J Public Health 2007, 15(Supplement):S29

Evaluation of Enviromental Health in Izmir's Kemalpasa County Primary Schools

Sevken S.¹, Soysal A.², Giray H.²

¹ Kemalpasa Health Center, Izmir, Turkey

² Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine Department of Public Health, Izmir, Turkey

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the Environmental Health situation of Izmir's Kemalpaşa county primary school.

Material and methods: The investigation of environment quality was performed in of 46 primary schools found in Kemalpasa. Appraisal was completed on the surrounding conditions, toilet hygiene, waste materials, food and water purity. The questionnaires requesting the necessary data were distributed to the school's administrators and they were asked to permit the researchers to observe the premises and subsequently some modifications were adopted.
Findings: Of the 46 primary schools found in Izmir's Kemalpasa county, 9 were located in the city limits, 37 were located in the countryside. The average classroom size of the schools was 10.8±1.4 (1-38), the average number of students was 320.1±55.9. Twenty (43.5%) of the schools were located on a main street with heavy traffic which could be responsible for accident in the school playground, 31 (67.4%) as found with environmental professionals, 33 (71.7%) were completely surrounded by walls. Five (10.9%) of the school's environments were found to be littered by garbage and solid waste heaps. 14 (30.4%) of the schools separated the solid waste materials but only 10 were found with insufficient separation. 28 (60.9%) of the schools were connected to the sewarage system and 31 (67.4%) had the necessary fire protection equipment. Waste baskets were found in the corridors of 12 (26.1%) schools, 35 (76.1%) had waste baskets at each classroom doors. Sixteen (34.8%) schools had canteen, 12 (75.0%) of which did not have a health license, 11 (68.8%) did not do porter inspections, 1 (6.3%) was using food items outdated, 12 (75.0%) had washbasins, 2 (12.5%) with employees personal cleanliness unsatisfactory; in the food preparation area of 15 canteen 3 (20.0%) the hygiene conditions were unsatisfactory. The hygiene of toilets was satisfactory in 22 (47.8%), 37 (80.4%) had sufficient soap, 5 (10.9%) provided paper towels or hand drying systems. After each recess in 22 (47.8%) schools, all the toilets were cleaned, 17 (37.0%) schools had water tanks in case of water cut-offs. 44 (95.7%) of the schools were connected to the drinking water network, 13 (28.3%) had drinking water tanks. At various intervals 44 (95.7%) of the schools analyzed water samples. There was significant difference among the schools in the countryside compared to the schools in the city limits in respect of connection to the sewarage network (p = 0.007), necessary fire precautions (p = 0.021), provision covered waste basket in the corridors (p < 0.001) and making porter examinations to the canteen personels (p = 0.035).
Discussion and conclusions: Even though the social-economic situation of Izmir state improves, the county of Kemalpasa's primary schools have very important environmental health deficiencies. The deficiencies were seen more in Kemalpasa's countryside schools. The health authorities of these schools should follow WHO criteria to get rid of these deficiencies.

Keywords: environmental health, primary school, hygiene

Published: November 1, 2007  Show citation