Introduction: In Saxony, schoolchildren were screened for disease symptoms by trained physicians of Public Health Administration in a standardized protocol. The medical examination is done in 5th and 9th grade. In this project, we focused on differences between urban vs. rural areas in Saxony. Methods: In 1998/99 a total of 52482 children in 5th grade were examined. 7 cities were contrasted with 22 rural areas. The screening protocol included symptoms like rhinitis, goiter, kyphosis, postural weaknesses, obesity and psychovegetative disorders. Results: Rhinitis and goiter were more frequent in pupils living in urban areas than their peers in rural areas (7,3% vs. 5,8%; p< 0,0001 and 4,7% vs. 2,8%; p< 0,0001 respectively). The prevalence of kyphosis and postural weaknesses were significantly higher in urban areas compared to rural areas (10,1% vs. 7,0%; p<0,0001 and 8,6% vs. 7,0%; p<0,0001 respectively). Obesity, however, was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas (12,4% vs. 10,8%; p<0,0001). The prevalence of psychovegetative disorders was significantly higher in town-bred children than in their peers in rural areas (2,7% vs. 1,8%; p<0,0001). Conclusions: The risk of becoming ill is not homogeneous distributed over the state Saxony. The results show that the risk obesity is more frequent in schoolchildren in rural areas. Allergic, endocrinological, orthopaedic and psychovegetative symptoms are more often in urban area. This gives some indications that health promotion for schoolchildren should be different in urban vs. rural areas.
Learning Objectives: This study indicates that health promotion for schoolchildren should be different in urban vs. rural areas.
Keywords: School Health, Children's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.