Assessment of the availability of School Health Facilities and Personnel in Public Secondary Schools in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the availability of health facilities and personnel in public secondary schools in Cross River, Nigeria. Two research questions were used to assess the availability of health facilities and equipment and availability of health personnel in public secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria. Ex-post facto research design was adopted and a sample of 160 public secondary schools were used for the study. A checklist titled Assessment of School Health Services Checklist (ASHSC) was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using percentages. The results of the analysis revealed that: Fifty nine, 59 (37 per cent) of health facilities and equipment were available, 54 (31 per cent) of the schools have health facilities/equipment accessible and 41 (23 per cent) of the schools have their health facilities adequate in number.  Also Sixty seven 67 (42 per cent) of the secondary schools under study have available health personnel, 50 (31 per cent) of the schools have their health personnel accessible while32 (20 per cent) of the schools have adequate health personnel. The study suggested as policy implication that the government should make sure that sick bay and other vital health facilities such as thermometer, and drugs are provided in all secondary schools in the State. There is need for the Cross River State government to ensure that laboratory technicians and other health personnel are made available to all secondary schools in the State.