Child Health: Vaccines, School Programs, and General Care

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Child Health Objectives and Care

Local Objectives

Increase the health level of the child population by reducing morbidity and mortality and promoting normal development. Detect and treat disorders that can affect the collective.

  • Growth, psychomotor, and physical development
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Vaccines and Immune Status
  • Early detection of metabolic disorders
  • Oral health
  • Detection of musculoskeletal disorders
  • Detection of abnormal uro-genital apparatus and degenerative infectious diseases
  • Prevention of accidents (school, home, sports)
  • General Care
  • Educational Guidelines
  • Mental Health
  • Child Abuse

Vaccine Contraindications

  1. Significant post-immunization reactions (anaphylactic shock, tumors, encephalopathy).
  2. Allergic reactions to vaccine components.
  3. Infectious diseases (e.g., fever syndrome). Delay vaccination until treatment reduces immunity.
  4. Immune disorders.
  5. Neurological or other chronic evolving diseases.
  6. Pregnancy (especially in the first trimester and with live attenuated vaccines). Consider the risks. Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines typically involve 3 doses (0, 1 month, 6 months or 0-1-12).
  7. Recent treatment with immunoglobulins, plasma, or blood transfusions. Wait before vaccinating.

Vaccine Administration Reminders

  1. Pre-vaccination history (allergies).
  2. Verify the vaccines to be administered according to the schedule.
  3. Check dose and administration route.
  4. Maintain the cold chain (2-8°C). Use a thermometer and avoid placing the vaccine where it directly contacts the cold source.
  5. Remember potential adverse reactions.
  6. Note the next dose date and sign the record.
  7. Record in the card or token.
  8. Provide recommendations and instructions on what to do in case of secondary reactions, including noting the reaction time.

School Health Programs

Targeting ages 10-12 years.

  • Key Elements:
    • Health inspection
    • Support for immunization programs
  • Actors:
    • Health Personnel: Responsibility in different programs, advice to parents and educators.
    • Educators: Active role as transmitters of education.
    • Parents: Complementary role to the family. Active participation through AMPA (Parents’ Association).
    • Students: Active role.
    • Municipality and other institutions: School Board, promoting health education.

Health Education in Schools

Reaching a broader audience due to the principle of universality, especially in later years of schooling.

  • Objectives: Promoting healthy habits and attitudes, contributing to the training of parents. Education in the dining room, physical education class, natural sciences.
  • Methodological Orientation: Organizing participatory structures, developing school plans. School Board and School Health Council should be included in the schooling process.

Public Health School Health Review

  • Visual Acuity Detection (6, 11, 14 years): Using charts for screening, referral to specialists if needed.
  • Somatometric Alterations (6, 11, 14 years): Measuring weight, height, foot bridge, and calculating BMI, comparing with tables.
  • Deviations of the Spine (6, 11, 14 years): Detecting kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis through observation or palpation.
  • Other Health Problems: Oral hygiene (in 6th grade) or other alterations.