School Sanitation-Related Psychosocial Stressors among Nigerian Students.

Psychosocial stressors are indicative of challenges associated with the social and environmental conditions an individual is subjected to. In a bid to clearly understand the present gaps in school sanitation, this cross-sectional study aimed to identify the sanitation-related psychosocial stressors experienced by students in a Nigerian peri-urban community and their associated impacts. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 400 students from 10 schools. The students to toilet ratio were 1,521:0 and 1,510:0 for the public-school boys and girls, respectively, and 74:1 and 70:1 for the private-school boys and girls, respectively. Furthermore, public-school students had a significantly higher average stress level (P < 0.001, η2p = 0.071) and a significantly higher proportion of students experiencing school absenteeism (P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-8.2), missed classes (P < 0.001; OR = 5.8; CI = 2.8-12.0), long urine/fecal retention time (P < 0.001; OR = 2.9; CI = 1.8-4.7), open defecation practice (P < 0.001; OR = 4.2; CI = 2.5-7.1), and open defecation-related anxiety (P < 0.001; OR = 3.6; CI = 2.0-6.5). Moreover, the inability to practice menstrual hygiene management was significantly associated with student-reported monthly school absence among girls (P < 0.001; OR = 4.5; CI = 2.2-9.4). Overall, over 50% of the respondents had reportedly been subjected to at least 14 of the 17 stressors outlined. The most prevalent stressors identified were concerns about disease contraction, toilet cleanliness, toilet phobia, privacy, and assault/injury during open defecation/urination. In conclusion, results show that the absence of functional sanitation facilities purportedly has a grievous effect on the mental, physical, social, and academic well-being of the students. This was clearly seen among public-school students. Subsequent sanitation interventions need to be targeted at ameliorating identified stressors.

School types in adolescence and subsequent health and well-being in young adulthood: An outcome-wide analysis.

While past empirical studies have explored associations between types of primary and secondary schools and student academic achievement, outcomes beyond academic performance remain less well-understood. Using longitudinal data from a cohort of children (N = 12,288, mean age = 14.56 years) of nurses, this study examined associations between the types of schools participants attended in adolescence and a wide range of subsequent psychological well-being, social engagement, character strengths, mental health, health behavior and physical health outcomes. Results in this sample suggested little difference between attending private independent schools and public schools across outcomes in young adulthood. There were, however, notable differences in subsequent outcomes comparing homeschooling and public schools, and possibly some evidence comparing religious schools and public schools. Specifically, there was some evidence that attending religious schools versus public schools was associated with a higher likelihood of frequent religious service attendance and becoming registered voters, a lower risk of overweight/obese, fewer lifetime sexual partners, and a higher risk of subsequently being binge drinkers; however, these associations were not robust to correction for multiple testing. Homeschooling compared with public schooling was associated with subsequently more frequent volunteering (ß = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.52), greater forgiveness (ß = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.46), and more frequent religious service attendance (Risk Ratio [RR] = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.80), and possibly also with greater purpose in life, less marijuana use, and fewer lifetime sexual partners, but negatively associated with college degree attainment (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.88) and possibly with greater risk of posttraumatic stress disorder. These results may encourage education stakeholders to consider a wider range of outcomes beyond academic performance in decision-making.

School Type, Eating Habits, and Screen Time are Associated With Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Among Brazilian Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be a result of the environmental influences to which adolescents are exposed and/or habits acquired since childhood through family interactions. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate whether type of school administration (public or private), eating habits, and screen time are associated with the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to total kilocalories consumed by Brazilian adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional secondary analysis of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) performed between March 2013 and December 2014. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Overall, 71,553 adolescents from 1,247 public and private schools in 124 Brazilian cities (with a population of more than 100,000) were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to the total kilocalories consumed, obtained using one 24-hour food recall. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Generalized linear models were used, guided by the hierarchical model. Sample complexity was considered using the Stata svy command, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Overall, UPFs contributed an average of 28% (95% CI, 27.80%-28.15%) of total energy intake. Based on the final multivariate analysis, a significantly higher UPF diet was observed among adolescents from private schools (P < .001), those who do not consume meals offered by schools (P < .001), those who do not eat breakfast regularly (P < .05), those who eat in front of screens almost every day or every day (P < .001), and those who spend more time in front of screens (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that UPF consumption is associated with school type, eating habits, and screen time among Brazilian adolescents.

Brief Report: Classifying Rates of Students with Autism and Intellectual Disability in North Carolina: Roles of Race and Economic Disadvantage.

We examined special education classifications among students aged 3-21 in North Carolina public schools, highlighting autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Results revealed variability by county in ASD and ID prevalence, and in county-level ratios of ID vs. ASD classifications. Sociodemographic characteristics predicted proportion of ASD or ID within a county; correlations showed an association between race and ID, but not ASD. County's median household income predicted proportion of students classified as ASD and ID (opposite directions), controlling for number of students and gender. Variability was unlikely related to biological incidence, and more likely related to district/school practices, or differences in resources. Disparities warrant further examination to ensure that North Carolina's youth with disabilities access necessary, appropriate resources.

Recovery High School Attendance Effects on Student Delinquency and Substance Use: the Moderating Role of Social Problem Solving Styles.

Recovery high schools (RHSs) provide educational programming and therapeutic support services for young people in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). The objectives of this study were to examine whether students with SUDs who attended RHSs report less delinquency and substance use than students with SUDs who attended non-RHSs, and how students' social problem solving styles might moderate those associations. Participants were students from a longitudinal quasi-experimental study of adolescents who enrolled in high schools after receiving treatment for SUDs. The propensity-score balanced sample included 260 adolescents (143 in RHSs, 117 in non-RHSs) enrolled in schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Texas (M age = 16; 83% White; 44% female). Negative binomial regression models were used to compare delinquency and substance use outcomes for RHS and non-RHS students at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. The results indicated that students attending RHSs after discharge from SUD treatment reported less frequent delinquent behavior while intoxicated, and fewer days of substance use relative to students attending non-RHSs. Negative problem solving styles moderated the effect of RHS attendance on substance use outcomes, with RHSs providing minimal beneficial effects for those students endorsing maladaptive problem solving styles. We conclude that RHSs offer a promising continuing care approach for adolescents in recovery from SUD problems, but may vary in their effectiveness for students with impulsive, careless, or avoidant problem solving styles.

Adolescent Physical Activity at Public Schools, Private Schools, and Homeschools, United States, 2014.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity overall and during school-related opportunities among homeschool adolescents are poorly documented. METHODS: We used data from the National Cancer Institute's Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study, a national sample of parent-child dyads. We examined reported frequency of physical activity in middle-school and high-school respondents (N = 1,333). We compared the overall physical activity by school type (ie, public school, private school, and homeschool), compared school-related contexts (eg, recess, physical education [PE] class), and tested for level of physical activity by school for those reporting PE. RESULTS: Middle-school homeschool adolescents reported less physical activity during school hours compared with public school, but not private school, adolescents. Physical activity was not different by school type for out of school or weekends. Physical activity of high-school homeschool adolescents was not different from that of high-school adolescents at traditional schools; homeschool adolescents in both middle and high school reported less physical activity in PE compared with public and private school adolescents. Other school-related contexts of physical activity were not different by school type. More homeschool students reported not having PE (middle school, 54.8%; high school, 57.5%) compared with public (middle school, 18.7%; high school, 38.0%) or private schools (middle school, 13.5%; high school, 41.5%). CONCLUSION: Homeschool adolescents in middle school reported less physical activity compared with middle-school adolescents in traditional schools during school hours, likely because of having fewer PE classes and less physical activity during PE.

Effect of video-guided educational intervention on school engagement of adolescent students with hearing impairment: Implications for health and physical education.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Hearing impaired students still face stigmatization and marginalization especially in inclusive classrooms in developing regions. This negatively impacts their school engagement. The present study aimed at ascertaining the effect of video-guided educational intervention on school engagement of hearing impaired students. METHOD: Randomized controlled trial design was adopted for the present study. A total of 46 junior secondary school students with hearing impairment and low school engagement symptoms participated in this study. The students were randomly assigned to groups - intervention group and care-as-usual control group. A video-guided educational intervention package which consists of 13-minutes captioned video clips with school engagement themes served as the treatment intervention. Data were collected at 3 different times (pre-test, post-test and follow up) using School Engagement Scale created by Fredericks, Blumenfeld, Friedel and Paris (2005). Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test, Cohen d and Chi-square. RESULTS: Results showed that the video-guided educational intervention significantly improved school engagement level among hearing impaired adolescent students in the intervention group in comparison with the students in the care-as-usual control group as measured by the Student Engagement Scale [Behavioral: t(24) = -9.305, P < .001; Emotional: t(24) = -7.772, P < .001; Cognitive: t(24) = -7.330 P < .001) as well as total student engagement (t(24) = 12.022, P < .001, Δ = 5.362). Also, the students who took part in the video-guided educational intervention maintained improved school engagement at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Video-guided educational intervention is an effective intervention for improving school engagement of hearing impaired adolescent students. Since acquiring relevant education is essential for leading a quality life especially among the special needs population, it was recommended that students with hearing impairment should be helped to acquire life skills through education by fostering their school engagement.

The Emergence of Spatial Clustering in Medical Vaccine Exemptions Following California Senate Bill 277, 2015-2018.

Objectives. To understand how the elimination of nonmedical vaccine exemptions through California Senate Bill 277 (SB277) may have resulted in increased spatial clustering of medical exemptions.Methods. We used spatial scan statistics and negative binomial regression models to examine spatial clustering in medical vaccine exemptions in California kindergartens from 2015 to 2018.Results. Spatial clustering of medical exemptions across schools emerged following SB277. Clusters were located in similar geographic areas to previous clusters of nonmedical vaccine exemptions, suggesting a spatial association between high nonmedical exemption prevalence and increasing rates of medical exemptions. Regression results confirmed this positive association at the local level. The sociodemographic characteristics of the neighborhoods in which schools were located explained some, but not all, of the positive spatial associations between exemptions before and after SB277.Conclusions. Elimination of nonmedical vaccine exemptions via SB277 may have prompted some parents to instead seek medical exemptions to required school vaccines. The spatial association of these 2 types of exemptions has implications for maintaining pockets of low vaccine compliance and increased disease transmission.

Assessing Characteristics of Unplanned School Closures that Occurred in the United States in Response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

OBJECTIVE: Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Texas on August 24, 2017, caused catastrophic damage that resulted in the closure of many schools and school districts across 4 states. We evaluated the underlying reasons and characteristics of the unplanned school closures to gain insight on how communities may cope with recommended preemptive closures as an intervention for pandemic influenza. METHODS: Information was extracted from news articles, school websites, and Twitter and Facebook posts previously collected through daily systematic searches of Google, Google News, and Lexis-Nexis. This information was sorted into predefined categories describing the characteristics that may be associated with unplanned school closures that occur during a natural disaster. RESULTS: Across Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, there were 3026 unplanned closures. Sixty-three percent of the closures occurred in Texas. The main reasons for the closures were flooding, power outages, and structural damage. The closed schools in Texas were sometimes used as shelters or as locations for providing food or other resources. CONCLUSION: School closures associated with Hurricane Harvey were attributed to both the effects of the hurricane and use for resource allocation. These findings can help inform preparedness planning and response for future hurricane seasons and other large-scale emergencies.

Time trends in the prevalence of breastfeeding among schoolchildren from public and private schools in Florianópolis, Southern Brazil: From 2002 to 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To describe breastfeeding trends from 2002 to 2012/2013, and to investigate whether breastfeeding practices differ between mothers of children in public and private schools. METHODS: Data were obtained from three school-based cross-sectional studies conducted with 7 to 10 years old children. The total sample was 7264 individuals. Data related to breastfeeding were analyzed descriptively and compared using the chi-square test for heterogeneity or trend. RESULTS: In the 10-year period was observed a decrease in the total percentage of schoolchildren who were not breastfed (12.9%-10.5%) and an increase in the percentage of schoolchildren breastfed for >12 months (23.9%-36.7%). In public schools, the increase of breastfeeding for >12 months was independent of maternal age and years of schooling. In private schools, the increase was observed for schoolchildren born to older mothers and to more educated mothers, although the highest percentage was observed for schoolchildren born to less educated mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the complexity of determining breastfeeding behaviors, and understanding these dynamics is fundamental to develop and improve programs and actions aimed at encouraging, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding. However, strategies developed in Brazil during the first decade of the 21st century should explain the increase of proportion of breastfed children for more than 12 months, and the concomitant decrease of never breastfeed children in the city of Florianopolis (Southern Brazil).

Intervening Paths From Strain to Delinquency Among High School and Vocational School Students in China.

Chinese education system comprises high schools and vocational school, and their differences on delinquency have seldom been investigated. From the perspective of general strain theory, the present study examined the differences among high school and vocational school students for delinquency, strain, and other explanatory variables. General strain theory delineates the effect of strain on delinquency or deviance and presents the paths from strain to delinquency or deviance through social control and social learning variables. Using a sample of 1,852 tenth-grade students in Guangzhou City, the present study tests the intervening paths from strains to deviance among high school and vocational school students. Results indicated that vocational school students have higher likelihood to be strained and delinquent, and have lower social control and higher interactions with delinquent peers. School type is a significant predictor for strain, as well as social control and delinquent peers.

Striking a Balance: Physical Activity, Screen-Viewing and Homework during the Transition to Secondary School.

Physical activity levels decline, and screen-viewing behaviours increase during childhood and adolescence. The transition to secondary school appears to coincide with a sharp decline in physical activity. Parents have the potential to influence their child's behaviours, yet little is known about their expectations for their child's physical activity and screen-viewing during this transition. This paper explores parents' expectations for their children's physical activity and screen-viewing as they transition from primary to secondary school, and their proposed strategies for managing these behaviours during this time. Forty-two parents of children aged 10-11 years participated in a semi-structured telephone interviews in July 2017 or March 2018. The interview data were analysed via inductive and deductive content analysis to explore parents' perceptions of physical activity and screen-viewing during the transition, the reasons for their perceptions, and the strategies they intended to implement to help their child balance their behaviours. Most parents expected both physical activity and screen-viewing to increase during this transition. There were several individuals, social and school-level factors influencing these expectations. Overall, parents felt that helping their child balance their activity levels, screen-viewing and homework would be challenging.

Using polytomous latent class analysis to compare patterns of substance use and co-occurring health-risk behaviors between students in alternative and mainstream high schools.

INTRODUCTION: Alternative high school (AHS) students, an understudied and underserved population, experience educational, social, and health disparities relative to students in mainstream high schools. Disparities in single types of substance use are particularly high, yet no known studies have compared patterns of substance use or relationships between these patterns and other health-risk behaviors between AHS and mainstream high schools. METHODS: Using data from the Texas Alternative School Health Survey (n = 515; mean age 17.1 years, 49% male, 59% Hispanic, 23% White, 15% Black) and the Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 2,113; mean age 16 years, 47% male, 64% Hispanic, 22% White, 7% Black), we used latent class analyses to compare patterns of substance use in AHSs and mainstream high schools. We used latent class regression to examine relationships between patterns of substance use and involvement in other health-risk behaviors in each school setting. RESULTS: Students in AHSs and mainstream high schools had similar patterns of substance use, and youth in higher risk categories engaged in higher levels of other health-risk behaviors. A substantially greater proportion of AHS students, however, fell into the moderate and high use categories, in support of continuing disparities for AHS students. CONCLUSIONS: Additional support is needed in AHSs to address the prevalence of high-risk patterns of substance use and associated health-risk behaviors. For example, ongoing public health surveillance is needed in AHSs, just as is done in mainstream high schools, to monitor trends in substance use and impact of policies and interventions.

Attending Informal Preschools and Daycare Centers Is a Risk Factor for Underweight, Stunting and Wasting in Children under the Age of Five Years in Underprivileged Communities in South Africa.

The study objectives were to determine the nutritional status of children between the ages of 12-60 months and to establish the association between attending preschool and the prevalence of undernutrition. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in health facilities in Tshwane district in South Africa, consisting of both a questionnaire and anthropometric measures of 1256 mothers and their children. Weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ) were calculated and bivariate and multivariable analysis was performed to establish association. The results showed that child-related factors, namely birthweight, age, gender, and attending preschool increased the risk of undernutrition. Children over the age of 24 months were likely to be stunted and underweight. Maternal education reduced the odds of underweight. Children who stayed at home had reduced odds of underweight and stunting. High birthweight reduced the odds of wasting and underweight. The risks for undernutrition are multifaceted, but children who attend preschool have an increased risk of undernutrition. The risk of undernutrition increased with age and coincided with the time of cessation of breast-feeding and attendance at daycare or preschool. The complementary role of quality childcare in preschools and daycare centers is vital in alleviating the problem of undernutrition in underprivileged communities.

What school-level and area-level factors influenced HPV and MenACWY vaccine coverage in England in 2016/2017? An ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe school-level and area-level factors that influence coverage of the school-delivered human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) programmes among adolescents. DESIGN: Ecological study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Aggregated 2016/2017 data from year 9 pupils were received from 1407 schools for HPV and 1432 schools for MenACWY. The unit of analysis was the school. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures were percentage point (pp) difference in vaccine coverage by schools' religious affiliation, school type, urban/rural, single sex/mixed and region. A subanalysis of mixed-sex, state-funded secondary schools also included deprivation, proportion of population from black and ethnic minorities, and school size. RESULTS: Muslim and Jewish schools had significantly lower coverage than schools of no religious character for HPV (24.0 (95% CI -38.2 to -9.8) and 20.5 (95% CI -30.7 to -10.4) pp lower, respectively) but not for MenACWY. Independent, special schools and pupil referral units had increasingly lower vaccine coverage compared with state-funded secondary schools for both HPV and MenACWY. For both vaccines, coverage was 2 pp higher in rural schools than in urban schools and lowest in London. Compared with mixed schools, HPV coverage was higher in male-only (3.7 pp, 95% CI 0.2 to 7.2) and female-only (4.8 pp, 95% CI 2 to 7.6) schools. In the subanalysis, schools located in least deprived areas had the highest coverage for both vaccines (3.8 (95% CI 0.9 to 6.8) and 10.4 (95% CI 7.0 to 13.8) pp for HPV and MenACWY, respectively), and the smallest schools had the lowest coverage (-10.4 (95% CI -14.1 to -6.8) and -7.9 (95% CI -12 to -3.8) for HPV and MenACWY, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tailored approaches are required to improve HPV vaccine coverage in Muslim and Jewish schools. In addition, better ways of reaching pupils in smaller specialist schools are needed.

Body mass index and height in 11- to 16-year-old Austrian students attending two different school types with divergent socioeconomic backgrounds.

BACKGROUND: In developed countries high socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and greater height compared with low SES. AIM: To investigate differences in BMI/height in adolescent students from two different school types with divergent SES backgrounds. METHODS: A total of 4579 students (2313 female), aged 11-16 years, attending either low SES vocation-directed secondary schools (VSS) or high SES secondary academic schools (AHS) were compared. Potential differences were investigated using ANCOVA models including sex, school type, geographical region and degree of urbanicity. RESULTS: At all ages between 11 and 16 years the BMI of students attending VSS was significantly higher than that of students attending AHS (mean +0.87kg/m2). The AHS students were on average taller (mean +0.93cm; p<0.001), without statistically significant age-specific differences. The taller height contributed to lower BMI by approximately 25%. Short stature, overweight and obesity were 2.3-fold, 1.8-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively more frequent in VSS than in AHS students. The BMI was higher in students in Vienna than in communities with >100,000 (p<0.001) and 20,000-100,000 (p=0.045) but similar to communities with <20,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that differences in BMI and height between students reflect early SES-based grouping into school types according to the academic level of the schools they attend.

Consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among students from public and private schools / Consumo de alimentos minimamente processados e ultraprocessados entre escolares das redes pública e privada

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare and analyze the consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among students from public and private schools. Methods: Study conducted in Uberlândia, MG, with fifth-grade students from three private and six public schools, selected by stratified cluster sampling. We collected data on food consumption using the 24-hour recall. Foods were classified into four groups (G) according to extent and purpose of processing: fresh/minimally processed foods (G1) culinary ingredients (G2), processed foods (G3), and ultra-processed foods (G4). Total energy intake (kcal) of each group, amount of sugar (g), sodium (mg), and fiber (g) were quantified and compared according to administrative affiliation (private or public). Results: Percentage of total energy intake was: G1 - 52%; G2 - 12%; G3 - 5%; e G4 - 31%. Energy intake from G1 (53 vs. 47%), G2 (12 vs. 9%), and G3 (6.0 vs. 0.1%), and amount of sodium (3,293 vs. 2,724 mg) and fiber (23 vs. 18 g) were higher among students from public schools. Energy intake from G4 (36 vs. 28%) and amount of sugar (20 vs. 14%) were higher among students from private schools. The consumption of foods from G1 in the school environment was higher among students from public schools (40 vs. 9%). Conclusions: Foods from G1 represent the highest percentage of total energy intake, while those from G4 constitute a third of calories consumed. Processed juice, sandwich cookie, processed cake, and breakfast cereals are more frequent among private school students; snacks and juice powder are more common for students from public schools.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar e analisar o consumo de alimentos minimamente processados e ultraprocessados entre escolares das redes pública e privada. Métodos: Estudo realizado em Uberlândia, MG, com escolares do quinto ano do ensino fundamental em nove escolas (três privadas e seis públicas), selecionados por amostragem estratificada por conglomerado. O consumo alimentar foi analisado utilizando recordatório de 24 horas. Os alimentos foram classificados segundo extensão e propósito do seu processamento em quatro grupos (G): alimentos in natura/minimamente processados (G1), ingredientes culinários (G2), alimentos processados (G3) e ultraprocessados (G4). Os valores energéticos totais (kcal) provenientes de cada grupo, quantidade de açúcar (g), sódio (mg) e fibras (g) foram quantificados e comparados segundo dependência administrativa. Resultados: O consumo de energia foi: G1, 52%; G2, 12%; G3, 5%; e G4, 31%. Os valores energéticos provenientes de G1 (53 vs. 47%), G2 (12 vs. 9%) e G3 (6,0 vs. 0,1%), a quantidade de sódio (3.293 vs. 2.724 mg) e a de fibras (23 vs. 18 g) foram superiores em escolares da rede pública. O valor percentual energético do G4 (36 vs. 28%) e a quantidade de açúcar (20 vs. 14%) foram superiores em escolares da rede privada. O consumo do G1 na escola foi superior nos escolares da rede pública (40 vs. 9%). Conclusões: Alimentos do G1 representam o maior percentual do valor energético total e do G4, um terço das calorias ingeridas. Suco pronto, biscoito recheado, bolo industrializado, cereais matinais são mais frequentes em escolares da rede privada e salgadinhos e suco em pó nos da rede pública.

CONSUMPTION OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED AND ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AMONG STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among students from public and private schools. METHODS: Study conducted in Uberlândia, MG, with fifth-grade students from three private and six public schools, selected by stratified cluster sampling. We collected data on food consumption using the 24-hour recall. Foods were classified into four groups (G) according to extent and purpose of processing: fresh/minimally processed foods (G1) culinary ingredients (G2), processed foods (G3), and ultra-processed foods (G4). Total energy intake (kcal) of each group, amount of sugar (g), sodium (mg), and fiber (g) were quantified and compared according to administrative affiliation (private or public). RESULTS: Percentage of total energy intake was: G1 - 52%; G2 - 12%; G3 - 5%; e G4 - 31%. Energy intake from G1 (53 vs. 47%), G2 (12 vs. 9%), and G3 (6.0 vs. 0.1%), and amount of sodium (3,293 vs. 2,724 mg) and fiber (23 vs. 18 g) were higher among students from public schools. Energy intake from G4 (36 vs. 28%) and amount of sugar (20 vs. 14%) were higher among students from private schools. The consumption of foods from G1 in the school environment was higher among students from public schools (40 vs. 9%). CONCLUSIONS: Foods from G1 represent the highest percentage of total energy intake, while those from G4 constitute a third of calories consumed. Processed juice, sandwich cookie, processed cake, and breakfast cereals are more frequent among private school students; snacks and juice powder are more common for students from public schools.

The uptake of adolescent vaccinations through the School Immunisation Program in specialist schools in Victoria, Australia.

BACKGROUND: As part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) students in Australia receive adolescent immunisations through the School Immunisation Program at 12 to 13 years. For children with disabilities attending specialist schools, no vaccine uptake data is collected at this time point. We aimed to determine uptake of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisations amongst young people with disabilities in specialist schools in Victoria. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Data was collected on immunisation days in the 2017 school year from specialist schools in Victoria. The school immunisation coordinator entered data online for eligible students for receipt of dTpa and HPV on each school immunisation day. Demographic data, motor and intellectual function of students and reasons for non-receipt of dTpa and HPV vaccine were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of 73 eligible specialist schools in Victoria, 28 (38%) participated. dTpa was received by 63% (237/374) of participating students and HPV dose 1 (HPV1) was received by 66% (76/114) females and 67% (174/260) male students respectively. Three doses of HPV were received by only 41% (100/241) of students. The main reasons for missed immunisation were absence from school, lack of consent and inability to immunise due to the student's behaviour and/or anxiety. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in Australia to report that uptake of adolescent immunisations in specialist schools for young people with a disability is significantly lower than in mainstream settings. Comparative data during the same time period for students in mainstream schools demonstrated higher uptake, at 89% for dTpa and 75% for three doses of HPV. These data highlight the inequity of receipt of school-based immunisations for this group of adolescents, the barriers to which could be more thoroughly explored through qualitative inquiry from a socio-ecological perspective.