EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STATUS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MINNA, NIGER STATE

Abstract

Poor maintenance of school environment can cause or worsen illnesses among school children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental health and safety status in public secondary schools in Minna, Niger state. The objective of this study was to assess the healthfulness of school environments of public secondary schools within the rural and urban areas of Minna. Multistage sampling was used to select the sample population. The participating schools were inspected and both the students and principals interviewed using a questionnaire. Scores were awarded using the school Health Program Evaluation Scale. This study was conducted in 30 public secondary schools in Minna the Niger state capital. Parameters assessed included water source, hand washing, toilet and classroom facilities, waste management, food service areas, fire control (extinguishers and alarms), dangers from animals, floods and vectors/pests and buildings/infrastructure around the schools. The study concludes that school environment of public secondary schools situated in both rural and areas in Minna, Niger State is fairly friendly and fairly healthy. From the findings of this study, it recommends that school principals should initiate preventive measures and promote awareness in order to cope with environmental health and safety, stimulus perception and provide sufficient safeguard to the environmental health and safety in secondary schools.