Health and Disease among Primary School Children: A Snapshot from Rural Bangladesh

Aims: There is scarcity of research on the health and disease status of primary school children in Bangladesh. This study aimed at assessing prevalence of medical diseases and surgical conditions among rural primary school children.

Materials and Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in 2018 on 2 public and 2 private primary school children in Bakila and Gogra village of Chandpur district. History of immunization, deworming, major current or previous illness, allergy, trauma, surgery and drug history were recorded. Anthropometric measurements, milestones of development, body build and nutritional status; and other general and systemic examinations were carried out. Comparison was made between the public and private primary school students.

Results: 227 primary school children (99 public school students and 128 private school students), were evaluated. Median age was 7 years and male to female ratio was 1.39:1. At least one medical disease or surgical condition was present in 146 (64.3%) students. Medical disease was present in 114 (50.2%) and surgical condition was present in 40 (17.6%) children. About 96.48% children completed immunization and 76.65% children were having regular deworming. Overall, 19.38% children were underweighted and 24.23% children were stunted. Bronchial asthma was the most common medical disease (11.89%), followed by rhinitis (8.37%) and food allergy (5.73%). Dental caries was the most common surgical condition, followed by tonsillitis (4.41%) and chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), 2.64%.

Conclusion: A diverse medical diseases and surgical conditions were prevalent among primary school children and most of these are preventable. These did not vary significantly between public and private schools.