Analysis of the administration of the health examination in the public schools of Oregon

• Main Author: Bech, Jack Karl
• Other Authors: Anderson, C. L.
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: School hygiene > Oregon
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/29985

The school-age period is one in which the health status of the pupil must be constantly observed and appraised if optimal growth and development are to be realized. Therefore, Oregon laws provide that the State Board of Health shall have direct supervision of all matters pretaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people of the state. To achieve this purpose, the Superintendant of Public Instruction is given the duty to prescribe for, with the advice of the State Board of Health, the program of health examinations for pupils. The county and city school superintendants are made responsible for carrying out this program. These health examinations render a type of health service to children that develop understanding and action by parents and result in an improved health status of the child. In this study the questionnaire method was used and brought a fifty per cent return which was considered sufficient to make the study factual. Information for this study was collected from all areas of the state and included completed questionnaires from elementary, junior high and high schools. The total enrollment of the 125 schools returning the questionnaire came to a figure of 40,101 students. Of this total number only 36,455 were reported by the administrators as being in one of the nine categories available for health examination on the questionnaire. Of the 36,455 students recorded, only 23,378 were provided with health examinations, or 64 plus per cent. This figure is rather disappointing as it was hoped the percentage would be at least in the nineties. As was expected, the students participating in athletics are receiving a higher per cent of examinations than any other group of school-age children. Of the 8,894 athletes listed, 8,610 were given health examinations, or 97 per cent. The principals indicated that of the 4,765 pupils entering school for the first time, 4,101 received health examinations, or 87 per cent of the total. This group ranked second in the percentages, a full ten per cent behind the athletic participant group. There were 2,011 pupils referred for examination by the teacher or by the teacher-nurse screening. Of this number, 1,679 pupils were examined which indicates that 83 per cent of those referred were examined. This particular group ranked third in the over-all picture. Of the pupils entering the ninth grade and new to the school, 73 per cent are being examined according to the questionnaire. There were 6,647 pupils in this group and 4,848 received examinations. Of the 2,260 seventh grade pupils, 1,181 were given a health examination which gives a percentage figure of 52 plus per cent. Very little examining is done in the tenth or other grades according to the information gathered. Of the 961 students listed in this group, only 328 received examinations, or 34 per cent. Of the 10,917 students participating in the intramural and recreation program, only 1,631 were given a health examination, or 15 per cent. === Graduation date: 1955