scholarly journals Investigating the effectiveness of school health services delivered by a health provider: a systematic review of systematic reviews

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Levinson ◽  
Kid Kohl ◽  
Valentina Baltag ◽  
David Ross
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
School Health ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Health Provider ◽  
School Health Services ◽  
Item Checklist

ABSTRACTSchools are the only institution regularly reaching the majority of school-age children and adolescents across the globe. Although at least 102 countries have school health services, there is no rigorous, evidence-based guidance on which school health services are effective and should be implemented in schools. To investigate the effectiveness of school health services for improving the health of school-age children and adolescents, a systematic review of systematic reviews (overview) was conducted. Five databases were searched through June 2018. Systematic reviews of intervention studies that evaluated school-based or school-linked health services delivered by a health provider were included. Review quality was assessed using a modified Ballard and Montgomery four-item checklist. 1654 references were screened and 20 systematic reviews containing 270 primary studies were assessed narratively. Interventions with evidence for effectiveness addressed autism, depression, anxiety, obesity, dental caries, visual acuity, asthma, and sleep. No review evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-component school health services intervention addressing multiple health areas. Strongest evidence supports implementation of anxiety prevention programs, indicated asthma education, and vision screening with provision of free spectacles. Additional systematic reviews are needed that analyze the effectiveness of comprehensive school health services, and specific services for under-researched health areas relevant for this population.

scholarly journals COVID-19 features in children and adolescents: a systematic review and pooled analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. e946
Author(s):  
Eleni D. Panagouli ◽  
Athanasios Ch. Thirios ◽  
Theodora Psaltopoulou ◽  
Flora Bacopoulou ◽  
Theodore G. Troupis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Management Guidelines ◽  
Significant Percentage ◽  
Radiologic Findings ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate special features and probable correlations between symptoms, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes of COVID-19 in children and adolescents, through a systematic review and pooled analysis. Following database (Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase) search, forty articles were considered eligible identifying a total of 2,971 confirmed pediatric COVID-19 patients. Fever was reported in 55.1% of the cases, while 28.4% were asymptomatic.  Radiological signs of pneumonia were observed in more than half of the cases and in 40.7% of asymptomatic patients. Fever showed the highest sensitivity (sensitivity: 60.3%, specificity: 48.8%), followed by cough (sensitivity: 47.4%, specificity: 76.7%), rhinorrhea (sensitivity: 21.1%, specificity: 88.4%) and diarrhea (sensitivity: 10.3%, specificity: 88.4%), in differentiating cases with positive radiological signs for pneumonia. Compared to school age children, preschoolers (adjusted OR=6.01, 95%CI: 1.73-20.91) were more prone to pneumonia findings. Various combinations of treatments were used across studies, without following any strict guidelines. Most children (>90%) had full recovery and rarely presented complications. Fever seems to be the most frequent symptom in pediatric COVID-19, but pediatricians should additionally evaluate cough, rhinorrhea, and diarrhea as indicators of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Asymptomatic cases were common, but not the majority, and a significant percentage had developed radiologic findings of pneumonia. Thorough reassessment of treatment and management guidelines should be helpful.

scholarly journals Comparison of school based and supplemental vaccination strategies in the delivery of vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa - a systematic review

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eposi C. Haddison ◽  
Leila H. Abdullahi ◽  
Rudzani Muloiwa ◽  
Gregory D. Hussey ◽  
Benjamin M. Kagina
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Routine Immunisation ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
School Based

Background: Some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) still remain a public health burden in many African countries. The occurrence of VPDs in all age groups has led to the realization of the need to extend routine immunisation services to school age children, adolescents and adults. Supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) and school based vaccinations (SBVs) are common strategies used to complement the expanded programme on immunisation (EPI). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of SIAs compared to SBVs in the administration of vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa. Methods: Systematic review methods were used to address our study aim. Several electronic databases were searched up to March 30, 2017 for primary studies investigating the delivery of vaccines via SIAs or SBVs to 5-19 year olds. This search was complemented by browsing reference lists of potential studies obtained from search outputs. Outcomes considered for inclusion were: vaccination coverage, costs of the strategy or its effect on routine immunisation services. Results: Out of the 4938 studies identified, 31 studies met the review inclusion criteria. Both SIAs and SBVs showed high vaccination coverage. However, the SIAs reported higher coverage than SBVs: 91% (95% CI: 84%, 98%) versus 75% (95% CI: 67%, 83%). In most settings, SBVs were reported to be more expensive than SIAs. The SIAs were found to negatively affect routine immunisation services. Conclusions: Both SIAs and SBVs are routinely used to complement the EPI in the delivery of vaccines in Africa. In settings where school enrolment is suboptimal, as is the case in many African countries, our results show SIAs may be more effective in reaching school age children and adolescents than SBVs. Our results re-iterate the importance of evaluating systematic evidence to best inform African authorities on the optimal vaccine delivery strategies targeting school age children and adolescents.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Interventions with Low-Income School-Age Children and Adolescents

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Ji-hye Hwang ◽  
HyunJee Choi ◽  
Hyo Jin Jeong ◽  
Chorong Kim ◽  
YunJung Woo
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age
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