Healthful School Environment in Primary Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study of Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Children spend long hours of the daytime in schools where they are exposed to the various components of the school environment which may affect their health status. There is, therefore, a need to constantly evaluate the status of the school environment. This study sought to assess the school environment in primary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council in the Nigerian Federal Capital.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 146 public and private primary schools using the school environment component of the school health programme evaluation scale. The key variables in the evaluation scale included the methods of sewage and refuse disposals, infrastructural features of the classrooms, sitting comfort for pupils and teachers, health hazards and safety measures in the schools, healthful living in the schools as well as evidence of maintenance of the school environment.

Results: A borehole was the source of water supply in 76(52.1%) schools. Of the 118(80.8%) schools with water closet toilets, 103(97.3%) were private while 15(37.5%) were public schools. In 127(87%) schools, the refuse disposal method was open dumping/ burning. Ventilation was adequate in 38(95%) public and 55(51.9%) private schools (p< 0.001). School fence was present in 102 (69.9%) schools. Overall, only 6 (5.7%) out of  the 106 private schools scored up to the acceptable minimum score of 57; no public school attained such a score (Fischer’s exact 2.361, p-value =  0.124).

Conclusion: The environments of primary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council, lack the basic requirement to make them healthful. A mechanism should be put in place to ensure compliance with a standard environment.