Musa Adam Osman Mohammed Mohammed, Jibril Abdi Jimale Alim, Eyman Ahmed Abdrahum Koko

Assessment of School Environmental Health Conditions in Governmental Primary Schools

Introduction

Assessment of school environmental health conditions in governmental primary schools. Assess environmental health in Sudanese primary schools. Findings reveal poor ventilation, limited safe water, no hand-washing, and inadequate waste disposal. Urgent improvements needed.

Abstract

Ensuring environmental health in schools is vital for promoting student well-being and learning outcomes, particularly in under-resourced rural settings. However, evidence on environmental health conditions in Sudanese schools is limited. This study aimed to assess the school environmental health conditions in governmental primary schools in El-Obeid City, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Sixteen governmental basic schools were surveyed. A cluster random probability sampling technique was used to select schools. A structured checklist form was used for data collection. Data were managed and analyzed using descriptive statistics within a cross-sectional framework. Final results were presented and interpreted in tables.The results showed that 93% of schools were located at a suitable distance from public services, pollution, and noise. All school buildings were deemed acceptable. Fifty percent of schools had poor ventilation. Fifty percent of schools had access to reliable sources of clean and safe water. Latrines were available in 75% of schools. None of the schools had hand-washing facilities or soap for hand washing. Approximately 43.7% of schools burned solid waste directly. About 56.3% of schools had a canteen or cafeteria. There was a complete absence of hand-washing facilities in all schools and a lack of solid waste disposal services provided by local authorities. Urgent improvements are needed in sanitation and waste management.

Review

This study addresses a critical public health and educational issue by assessing environmental health conditions in governmental primary schools in El-Obeid City, Sudan. The focus on under-resourced rural settings, particularly in a region with limited existing evidence, makes this research highly relevant and timely. The authors employed a cluster random probability sampling technique to survey sixteen basic schools using a structured checklist, followed by descriptive statistical analysis. The clear articulation of the study's aim and the straightforward methodological approach lay a solid foundation for understanding the current environmental health landscape in these educational institutions. The findings present a mixed, yet concerning, picture. While the majority of schools benefited from suitable locations away from major pollutants and acceptable building conditions, significant deficiencies were identified. Only half of the schools had adequate ventilation and reliable access to clean water, and a quarter lacked basic latrine facilities. Alarmingly, there was a complete absence of hand-washing facilities and soap in all surveyed schools, a critical oversight for hygiene and disease prevention. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of schools resorted to direct burning of solid waste, indicating poor waste management practices and the absence of local authority services. These specific quantitative findings provide crucial baseline data for understanding the current challenges. While the study effectively highlights key environmental health gaps, several aspects warrant consideration for future research. The cross-sectional design provides a snapshot but cannot establish causal relationships or the impact of these conditions on health outcomes. The reliance on a structured checklist, while efficient, may not capture the nuances or specific barriers to implementing better practices. Future studies could benefit from exploring the reasons behind the observed deficiencies (e.g., funding, awareness, infrastructure) through qualitative methods, and expanding the sample size and geographical scope to enhance generalizability. Despite these points, the study offers compelling evidence for urgent improvements in sanitation, hygiene, and waste management within Sudanese primary schools, providing invaluable data for policymakers and public health interventions.

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