Background and Aim: School, as a reliable place in educating students, has an important role in training. If health principles are not observed in schools, students will be prone to different kinds of health problems. Thus, this study was done in order to determine hygienic status of schools in Birjand. Materials and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive and cross-sectional study 287 schools were surveyed using census methodology. For data collection, the assessment form of the Health Instruction Guide for Schools' Environment, which is based on the environmental standard of the Ministry of Health, was used. The forms were filled out by trained adepts. Finally, the obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS software using chi-square statistical test at the significant level α=0.05. Results: The hygienic statues of schools were unfavorable in buffets (86.8%), water supplying (74.5%), site and building of schools (48.8%), security and ergonomics (31.3%) and favorable in classrooms and hallways (88.8%), solid wastes disposal (72.8%), water fountains (65.9%), restrooms (62.4%), sewage disposal (60.6%) and washbasins (59.9%). Chi-Square statistical test showed a significant difference between site and building of schools, solid wastes disposal, sewage disposal, water fountains, washbasins and security and ergonomics of schools with type of schools (P<0.001). The analysis also showed a significant difference between the health status of site and building, sewage disposal (P<0.001), water fountains (P=0.001), restrooms (P=0.007), and security and ergonomics (P=0.03) in terms of educational stage. Conclusion: Most schools had a pleasant situation or a relatively acceptable regarding the Health Instruction Guide for Schools' Environment. This requires more attention of the authorities to the necessity of improvement and promotion of the hygienic status of schools.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Schools, Birjand

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