The Comprehensive School Screening Program in Abu Dhabi Schools 2015-2018:
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Al Hajeri, Omniyat Mohammed
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Leaf, Philip
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
The Johns Hopkins University
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
122
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Dr.P.H.
Body granting the degree
The Johns Hopkins University
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
The Comprehensive School Screening Program is part of the Preventive Screening for children launched by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) in the academic year 2010-2011. Early recognition of health problems in children positively contributes to their development and functions throughout their life and helps them reach their full potentials without the burden of disability or illness. Comprehensive school screening programs include dental screening, vision test, hearing test, body mass index, blood test for anemia, in addition to physical examination for spinal curvature (scoliosis). The Comprehensive Preventive Screening Program in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in public schools screened a total of 27,983 students in the 2015-16 academic year, an increase of 0.9% pupils from the previous year (27,736 in 2014-2015), and increasing from Academic year 2013-2014 when a total of 26,948 students were screened. This shows that the uptake of the screening program continues to increase (HAAD Surveillance Section). Objectives of this dissertation: This study addresses the available data from the comprehensive school screening from 2015 to 2018 to assess the trends of health findings in children and to determine if there is any significant variation between UAE national children and other residents (non-citizens) in Abu Dhabi. How have those trends changed over the last three years? The study will also determine the effects of specific interventions implemented by HAAD and other stakeholders to improve the health of students. The first contribution of this dissertation is using the data to deepen our understanding and insight of the health challenges facing our students in Abu Dhabi. The second contribution is serving as a catalyst for improving the screening, early detection, health education and interventions. The third contribution is to highlight the need for a more comprehensive and an all-inclusive model for school screening with equal access to all school children.