Status of Public Primary Schools: Safety, Health Service Provision and Environmental Health Facilities in Sokoto Metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria

Background: Provision of security, health services and environmental health facilities in schools is crucial in achieving the overall goals of the School Health Programme (SHP) because of their implications in all the areas of school health and plays an important role in the safety of school community and in retention and learning outcomes of students. We aimed to determine the status of public primary schools with respect to safety, health service provision and environmental health facilities in Sokoto metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria.

Methods: We conducted a cross sectional descriptive study among 40 public primary schools by multistage sampling technique. We collected data with an observation checklist using an electronic Open Data Kit (ODK) and analysed for descriptive statistics using SPSS version 23.

Results: The majority of schools had no security fence 21 (52.5%). Security/ safety teams were present in about a third 15 (37.5%) of the schools. None of the schools had a fire alarm. However, fire extinguisher was available in only 3 (7.5%) of the schools. Health room or sick bay 16 (40.0%) and health register 14 (35.0%) were available in less than half of the schools. Health personnel 3 (7.5%) and school ambulance or school bus 3 (7.5%) were available in only a few schools. First aid box was available in most, 38 (95.0%) of the schools. However, less than half, 17 (40.0%) of the schools had Iodine in their first aid boxes. Presence of handwashing facilities with soap was observed in only 3 (7.5%) of schools. All the schools use open dumping as means of refuse disposal; however, dustbin for refuse collection in classes was observed only in about a third, 15 (37.5%) of the schools. Traditional pit latrine was the most predominant toilet type 27 (67.5%) in schools.

Conclusion: Resources concerning safety, health service provision and environmental health facilities were found to be grossly inadequate in most of the schools observed. Government agencies involved in school administration should collaborate with other stakeholder’s in ensuring the provision of adequate resources for school health program.