CHANGES IN CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA 2008-2013
Abstract
Background. School students are one of the most dynamic populations. Detailed knowledge of the epidemiological tendencies in the distribution of different types of chronic disorders is important for correct allocation of preventive services. Our objectives were to analyze possible alterations in chronic health conditions of students in the Palm Beach County (PBC) health district. Methods. Serial, cross-sectional study was performed for comparative analysis of chronic health conditions annually reported by all schools of PBC, Florida in 2008-2013. Chi-square tests and 95% confidence intervals were used to compare proportions for chronic health conditions. Results. There was a general tendency for an increase in the prevalence of chronic health conditions in 2008-2013 - from 10.1% (171,970 students) to 14.8% (181,190 students). Within this time, the largest change was noticed for 2009-2012. At the beginning of the study, the largest proportion of students had asthma (#1), allergies (#2), and ADHD (#3), followed by epilepsy (#4), psychiatric disorders (#5), cardiac condition (#6), and diabetes (#7). During 5 year period, the rates for allergies and psychiatric conditions increased from 29.9% to 34.3% and from 3.3% to 4.4%, respectively (significant increase for both, p < 0.05). Interestingly, the psychiatric disorders increased in rank from #5 to #4. At the same time, there was a decrease in the rates of asthma (37.8% to 35.61%), ADHD (14.2% to 13.8%), epilepsy (3.4% to 3.0%), cardiac conditions (2.6% to 2.2%), and diabetes (2.0% to 1.4%), all p < 0.05. Conclusions. During the last 5 years there was a general trend for elevation in chronic health conditions in school students of PBC. Proportionally, a significant increase was noticed in allergies and psychiatric conditions. Our data suggests the need for additional allocation of clinical and social resources to provide preventive health care for the growth in allergies and psychiatric conditions in school students of PBC.
CHANGES IN CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA 2008-2013
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Background. School students are one of the most dynamic populations. Detailed knowledge of the epidemiological tendencies in the distribution of different types of chronic disorders is important for correct allocation of preventive services. Our objectives were to analyze possible alterations in chronic health conditions of students in the Palm Beach County (PBC) health district. Methods. Serial, cross-sectional study was performed for comparative analysis of chronic health conditions annually reported by all schools of PBC, Florida in 2008-2013. Chi-square tests and 95% confidence intervals were used to compare proportions for chronic health conditions. Results. There was a general tendency for an increase in the prevalence of chronic health conditions in 2008-2013 - from 10.1% (171,970 students) to 14.8% (181,190 students). Within this time, the largest change was noticed for 2009-2012. At the beginning of the study, the largest proportion of students had asthma (#1), allergies (#2), and ADHD (#3), followed by epilepsy (#4), psychiatric disorders (#5), cardiac condition (#6), and diabetes (#7). During 5 year period, the rates for allergies and psychiatric conditions increased from 29.9% to 34.3% and from 3.3% to 4.4%, respectively (significant increase for both, p < 0.05). Interestingly, the psychiatric disorders increased in rank from #5 to #4. At the same time, there was a decrease in the rates of asthma (37.8% to 35.61%), ADHD (14.2% to 13.8%), epilepsy (3.4% to 3.0%), cardiac conditions (2.6% to 2.2%), and diabetes (2.0% to 1.4%), all p < 0.05. Conclusions. During the last 5 years there was a general trend for elevation in chronic health conditions in school students of PBC. Proportionally, a significant increase was noticed in allergies and psychiatric conditions. Our data suggests the need for additional allocation of clinical and social resources to provide preventive health care for the growth in allergies and psychiatric conditions in school students of PBC.