Evaluation of the safety and environmental health status in schools of Evaz county in 2017

Aims: Attention to physical, health, and safety factors in educational environments is the most effective and fundamental factor for physical and mental growth of the students and their learning. Hence, one of the most important and influential school health issues is environmental health and safety. Accordingly, this study was conducted to study the environmental health and safety of Evaz district schools. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2017 and the conditions of environmental health and safety of 16 schools (elementary, secondary, and high schools) were studied in Evaz County. For this purpose, a checklist with 48 questions was prepared. The checklist was prepared based on the Iranian environmental health of schools standards codes and completed by means of observing and interviewing the authorities and the obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS version 16. Results: The conditions of the schools were in an unfavorable status in terms of the healthy storeroom, controlling the insects and rodents, installation electrical safety (insulating) mat under the electrical panels, and installation of handwashing guide. The results showed that there were no pool and fountain, laboratory and workshop, and balcony and terrace in some of those schools. The statistical analysis depicts the significant correlation between the school area and the places for fuel storage and teachers' rest (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Based on the results the schools of Evaz city were in a favorable status in terms of equipment safety and the building sanitary rules, while the status of individual health and building safety was lower than the standard level. So, such items should be considered for health promotion of such schools.