Health Among Schoolchildren From the School Nurse’s Perspective

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate Swedish school nurses' perceptions of schoolchildren's health. The study is based on two national surveys in which school nurses responded to questions about schoolchildren's health in 2015 ( n = 181) and 2005 ( n = 129). A statistical comparison showed that physical and mental health of schoolchildren in high-risk areas was perceived as worse than that of children in low-risk areas. There were no differences regarding the number of spontaneous visits or consulting reasons related to gender in high- and low-risk areas. A national framework for data collection and reporting of schoolchildren's health may be important for school nurses to demonstrate the need for increased support in, for example, high-risk areas. By paying attention to factors that can affect schoolchildren's health, school nurses can also direct health promotion to areas where it is needed. Increased cooperation among school health professionals may also prevent illness and improve health.

Swedish school nurses’ perspectives on caring for and promoting the health of adolescents with mental health problems – A qualitative study the Health of Adolescents with Mental Health Problems – A Qualitative Study

“…In high-risk areas, physical and mental health were perceived to have grown worse. [16] Moor et al [17] found similar results in that inequalities in health among school-aged children had increased after 2002, especially in Europe and North America.…”

“…This was supported by earlier studies. [12,16,17,30] The leadership, not a health professional, and the teachers in the school also played a crucial role. A principal who prioritised health promotion and saw the connection between health and learning facilitated the work, but if the opposite was the case, the principal became an obstacle.…”

“…The majority of the staff reported that they needed more training to enhance their knowledge and confidence concerning mental health problems, as reported in earlier studies. [16] Although an increasing number of adolescents are suffering from mental health problems in upper-secondary schools, there are few studies focusing on the matter. Therefore, we wanted to explore this issue from school nurses' point of view in order to shed more light on it and further develop the body of knowledge in caring science and the health-promoting work of the school nurse.…”

“…[10] Factors such as attentiveness, respect, authenticity, accessibility and continuity were important in order to create an effective health-promoting dialogue with the students. [16] National surveys of school nurses' work have been undertaken in many European countries, emphasizing that mental health work now forms a key part of their role. [23] A survey of school nurses in USA found that they had not received training in mental healthcare and did not feel that they had enough knowledge about identifying mental health problems and making appropriate referrals to mental health services.…”

“…The SHS is led and managed by the principal of the school and includes professions such as school nurses, school physicians, psychologists, guidance counselors and special education teachers. [1] In upper-secondary school, the school nurse invites each student aged [16][17][18][19] to a health dialogue during the first year with the aim of promoting and strengthening the health of the student. [2] Various health and lifestyle questionnaires have been developed and used during the health dialogue.…”