Referrals and Determinant Factors of a National School Health Campaign in Lebanon on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old
Author:
Habchy Peter1, Tahan Léa1, Moussi Charbel1, Barakat Muhammad A.1, Ghanem Laura1ORCID, Kattan Ogarite1, Njeim Alain1, Abou Habib Leila2, El Bitar Wassim23, El Asmar Béchara245, Chahine Mirna N.12678
Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath 1519, Lebanon 2. Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (Order of Malta Lebanon), Vanlian Bldg, 6th Fl. City Rama Str. Dekwaneh, Beirut P.O. Box 11-4286, Lebanon 3. Department of Pediatrics, Bellevue Medical Center University Hospital, Mansourieh P.O. Box 295, Lebanon 4. Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut P.O. Box 17-5208, Lebanon 5. Department of Cardiology, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Achrafieh, Beirut 1100, Lebanon 6. Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath 1519, Lebanon 7. Foundation-Medical Research Institutes (F-MRI®), Achrafieh, Beirut 1100, Lebanon 8. Foundation-Medical Research Institutes (F-MRI®), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Abstract
In this extensive study examining the health of 7184 school children aged 3 to 12 in 27 Lebanese schools, screenings involved medical evaluation and interviews, complemented by phone interviews with 3880 parents. Notably, one in two students received a medical referral, revealing prevalent issues such as dental cavities (33%), under-vaccination (25%), undetected vision problems (13%), abnormal growth (6%), underweight (27%), and overweight (33%). Additional concerns encompassed abnormal vital signs (3%), abuse signs (0.6%), infectious skin lesions (1.6%), scoliosis (1.7%), abnormal auscultation (heart 1.1%, lungs 1.2%), ear problems (3.3%), precocious puberty (0.7%), and neurologic signs (0.6%). Mental health challenges affected 20–25% of students. Public schools and Beirut exhibited higher referral rates, with girls, older children, overweight students, those lacking regular pediatrician visits, and children of self-employed or less educated parents facing elevated referral rates. In contrast, children of healthcare workers experienced fewer referrals. Against this backdrop, the study emphasizes the imperative for targeted health initiatives, particularly in marginalized areas and for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Priority areas include dental care, weight issues, mental health, vaccination compliance, and addressing vision problems to enhance learning outcomes.
Funder
Agence Française de Développement and the Pierre Fabre Foundation
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
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