The Pilot Study for Health Check-Ups System at Elementary School in Cambodia

Abstract

Background: In Cambodia, there is no national health check-ups system for the schoolchildren and the general population. This pilot study aimed to promote a school health check-ups system in collaboration with the government of Cambodia.

Method: From 2016 to 2017, we conducted a survey in an elementary school in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Two hundred and ninety-two students were eligible for data analysis. Physical examination, questionnaire and urinalysis were conducted using the Japanese school health check-ups model. Anthropometry was measured using the World Health Organization’s growth reference data for school-age children.

Results: Among 292 schoolchildren, 88.7% were diagnosed as healthy. Based on the evaluation criteria of health examination in the study, two (0.7%) students with rale, one (0.3%) student with abnormal urinalysis, and another 27 students complaining of cardiopulmonary symptoms were recommended for further consultation at hospital. The prevalence of overweight (15.1%) was higher than that of underweight (8.6%). According to parents’ questionnaires responses, the coverage rate of the National Immunization Program varied from 41.8% to 79.8% depending on each particular vaccine.

Conclusion: In this pilot study, we showed the prevalence of healthy among Cambodian schoolchildren and detected the students having possibility of health problem through this health check-ups and then recommended for further hospital visit. Based on the results, we assume that health check-ups system in elementary school as a whole Cambodia will be effective to assess the current health status in ordinary time and possibility of early detection of disease.