CHN ACROSS LIFESPAN
THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE
The school health nurse plays a vital role to improve the health of the nation through managing
the health of its children. This management includes identifying existing and potential health
problems as well as any barriers to learning that might exist.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE
1. Identify barriers to learning, e.g., poor vision and hearing problems
2. Identify existing and potential health problems, e.g., Tuberculosis (TB), scabies
3. Assist the teacher in integrating children with barriers to learning into the classroom
4. Conduct an annual environmental assessment of the school site
5. Ensure that the correct consent for the correct learner is at hand while conducting the health
assessments
6. Provide on-site services, e.g., deworming and immunization
7. Ensure that referral and follow-up of learners is done, i.e., a follow-up appointment to be
arranged with the school to ascertain the number of learners that received the requested
health care intervention
8. Liaise with the PHC facility manager regarding logistical support, i.e., consumable supplies
such as cotton wool, needles and syringes, and medication for deworming and immunizations
9. Develop a schedule for learner assessments and liaise with the School Principal/Secretary to
make appointments and to request a space to conduct assessments
10. Liaise with the School Principal/Secretary to distribute consent forms to learners for
parental/carer consent
11. Apply a multi-disciplinary approach for referral and follow-up of learners, e.g., to a private
optometrist who has entered into a public-private service level agreement or to a specialist
clinic within the public health sector where the learner may require further intervention for a
chronic disease such as diabetes
12. Forge links with service providers in the community for referral purposes, e.g., social workers,
employed by both the public and private sector
SCREENING TESTS PERFORMED ON THE SCHOOL AGED CHILD
Vision screening is administered by making use of Snellen visual acuity charts to establish
the distance at which a child can read and recognize characters from a disposed distance.
Speech screening is conducted to determine whether the child has further intervention and
assessments by other associated professionals e.g., lisp or stuttering.
Hearing screening is conducted to determine whether the child has a hearing problem, which
would require an intervention.
Measurement of height, weight and body mass index measurements are taken to
recognize whether the child needs an intervention e.g., being placed on the School Nutrition
Program for malnourished or underweight learners. Appropriate nutritional mediations must be
planned respectively
Gross motor skills assessment is administered to recognize milestone achievements in early
childhood, which could affect the child’s ability to participate in physical activities such as sport
in school.
Fine motor skills are conducted to establish whether the child’s pincer grip has developed,
which enables them to hold a pen or pencil correctly.
Oral health screening is conducted to establish levels of dental caries and gum disease and
the need for referral to either an oral hygienist for fissure sealants or a dentist for dental
extractions.
Notes by @silibazisomupereki
, CHN ACROSS LIFESPAN
Screen for chronic illness or long-term health conditions includes both transmissible
diseases (such as TB and HIV /Aids) as well as non-transmissible diseases.
Basic mental health and/or psychosocial risk assessment. A survey will be conducted for
the learner to determine their at-risk status of developing a mental health disease or need for a
psychosocial mediation by either a social worker or psychologist.
Characteristics and features of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Drooping eyes
A thin upper lip
Flattened cheekbones
Growth delays in height, weight and head circumference
Learning difficulties, including memory, inability to understand concepts such as poor
problem-solving skills
Behavioral problems such as inability to concentrate and social withdrawal
Lack of curiosity
PRIMARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To avoid illness and injury:
o Identify individuals at risk through routing history taking
Inform caregivers/parents about:
o Good nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle habits by providing information
o How to identify signs of abuse and neglect
o The dangers of substance abuse
o Stress management and referral to support groups were indicated
SECONDARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To detect and treat health problems early:
o Perform tests for early detection of chronic diseases such as diabetes to prevent
damage to other organs, serious complications and early death
o Raise awareness of signs and symptoms of common diseases such as diabetes
o Encourage care givers and parents to bring symptomatic children for screening and
treatment
o Screen regularly for common diseases, especially groups at higher risk
TERTIARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To reduce the extent and severity of a health problem
To minimize disability and
To restore or preserve function
Notes by @silibazisomupereki
THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE
The school health nurse plays a vital role to improve the health of the nation through managing
the health of its children. This management includes identifying existing and potential health
problems as well as any barriers to learning that might exist.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE
1. Identify barriers to learning, e.g., poor vision and hearing problems
2. Identify existing and potential health problems, e.g., Tuberculosis (TB), scabies
3. Assist the teacher in integrating children with barriers to learning into the classroom
4. Conduct an annual environmental assessment of the school site
5. Ensure that the correct consent for the correct learner is at hand while conducting the health
assessments
6. Provide on-site services, e.g., deworming and immunization
7. Ensure that referral and follow-up of learners is done, i.e., a follow-up appointment to be
arranged with the school to ascertain the number of learners that received the requested
health care intervention
8. Liaise with the PHC facility manager regarding logistical support, i.e., consumable supplies
such as cotton wool, needles and syringes, and medication for deworming and immunizations
9. Develop a schedule for learner assessments and liaise with the School Principal/Secretary to
make appointments and to request a space to conduct assessments
10. Liaise with the School Principal/Secretary to distribute consent forms to learners for
parental/carer consent
11. Apply a multi-disciplinary approach for referral and follow-up of learners, e.g., to a private
optometrist who has entered into a public-private service level agreement or to a specialist
clinic within the public health sector where the learner may require further intervention for a
chronic disease such as diabetes
12. Forge links with service providers in the community for referral purposes, e.g., social workers,
employed by both the public and private sector
SCREENING TESTS PERFORMED ON THE SCHOOL AGED CHILD
Vision screening is administered by making use of Snellen visual acuity charts to establish
the distance at which a child can read and recognize characters from a disposed distance.
Speech screening is conducted to determine whether the child has further intervention and
assessments by other associated professionals e.g., lisp or stuttering.
Hearing screening is conducted to determine whether the child has a hearing problem, which
would require an intervention.
Measurement of height, weight and body mass index measurements are taken to
recognize whether the child needs an intervention e.g., being placed on the School Nutrition
Program for malnourished or underweight learners. Appropriate nutritional mediations must be
planned respectively
Gross motor skills assessment is administered to recognize milestone achievements in early
childhood, which could affect the child’s ability to participate in physical activities such as sport
in school.
Fine motor skills are conducted to establish whether the child’s pincer grip has developed,
which enables them to hold a pen or pencil correctly.
Oral health screening is conducted to establish levels of dental caries and gum disease and
the need for referral to either an oral hygienist for fissure sealants or a dentist for dental
extractions.
Notes by @silibazisomupereki
, CHN ACROSS LIFESPAN
Screen for chronic illness or long-term health conditions includes both transmissible
diseases (such as TB and HIV /Aids) as well as non-transmissible diseases.
Basic mental health and/or psychosocial risk assessment. A survey will be conducted for
the learner to determine their at-risk status of developing a mental health disease or need for a
psychosocial mediation by either a social worker or psychologist.
Characteristics and features of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Drooping eyes
A thin upper lip
Flattened cheekbones
Growth delays in height, weight and head circumference
Learning difficulties, including memory, inability to understand concepts such as poor
problem-solving skills
Behavioral problems such as inability to concentrate and social withdrawal
Lack of curiosity
PRIMARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To avoid illness and injury:
o Identify individuals at risk through routing history taking
Inform caregivers/parents about:
o Good nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle habits by providing information
o How to identify signs of abuse and neglect
o The dangers of substance abuse
o Stress management and referral to support groups were indicated
SECONDARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To detect and treat health problems early:
o Perform tests for early detection of chronic diseases such as diabetes to prevent
damage to other organs, serious complications and early death
o Raise awareness of signs and symptoms of common diseases such as diabetes
o Encourage care givers and parents to bring symptomatic children for screening and
treatment
o Screen regularly for common diseases, especially groups at higher risk
TERTIARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES
To reduce the extent and severity of a health problem
To minimize disability and
To restore or preserve function
Notes by @silibazisomupereki
