Health appraisal procedures

 Health appraisal procedures

Health appraisal is a series of procedures to assess or determine the health status of students. The health status of the student is determined through the use of teacher’s observation, screening test, health histories, and medical, dental, and psychological evaluations.

Procedures in health appraisal

1. screening – determines the potential health implications of the policy

2. scoping -  key health issues and public concerns are identified that should be considered the assessment. Health determinants that may be include factors such as the social, and physical environment (housing quality, crime rates, and social networks), personal or family circumstances (exercise, risky-behavior, and employment)

3. Appraisal – within the defined scopes, available evidence is gathered and used to estimate the potential health gains or losses.

Height and weight – is being monitored during puberty to know the growth of a child and also to get to its BMI to describe the body’s condition

Self breast examination – 

a procedure a woman can do to physically and visually examine her breasts and underarm areas for changes. It has not been shown that BSEs alone can accurately determine the presence of breast cancer.

Breast self-examination can be performed every month. Become familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel so that you may notice any change from what is normal for you:

• If you still menstruate, the best time to do BSE is when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen, such as a few days after your period ends.
• If you no longer menstruate, pick a certain day—such as the first day of each month—to remind yourself to do BSE.

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for: Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out) Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling	Breast Self-Exam — Step 1 Larger Version
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.	Breast Self-Exam — Steps 2 and 3 Larger Version
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood). Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.	Breast Self-Exam — Step 4 Larger Version
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.	Breast Self-Exam — Step 5 La

Testicular examination for boys - help you learn the normal feel and appearance of your testicles. That may make it more likely that you'll notice subtle changes, should they occur. Changes in your testicles could be a sign of a common benign condition, such as an infection or a cyst, or a less common condition, such as testicular cancer.

A testicular exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles. You can do a testicular exam yourself, typically standing in front of a mirror.

Routine testicular exams may give you a greater awareness of the condition of your testicles and help you detect when changes occur. Testicular exams may also help you identify potential testicular problems.

If you detect lumps or other changes during a testicular exam, make an appointment with your doctor.

testicular self-examination (TSE) is an easy way for guys to check their own testicles to make sure there aren't any unusual lumps or bumps — which can be the first sign of testicular cancer.

Although testicular cancer is rare in teenage guys, overall it is the most common cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 35. It's important to try to do a TSE every month so you can become familiar with the normal size and shape of your testicles, making it easier to tell if something feels different or abnormal in the future.

Here's what to do:

• It's best to do a TSE during or right after a hot shower or bath. The scrotum (skin that covers the testicles) is most relaxed then, which makes it easier to examine the testicles.
• Examine one testicle at a time. Use both hands to gently roll each testicle (with slight pressure) between your fingers. Place your thumbs over the top of your testicle, with the index and middle fingers of each hand behind the testicle, and then roll it between your fingers.
• You should be able to feel the epididymis (the sperm-carrying tube), which feels soft, rope-like, and slightly tender to pressure, and is located at the top of the back part of each testicle. This is a normal lump.
• Remember that one testicle (usually the right one) is slightly larger than the other for most guys — this is also normal.
• When examining each testicle, feel for any lumps or bumps along the front or sides. Lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea.
• If you notice any swelling, lumps, or changes in the size or color of a testicle, or if you have any pain or achy areas in your groin, let your doctor know right away.

Lumps or swelling may not be cancer, but they should be checked by your doctor as soon as possible. Testicular cancer is almost always curable if it is caught and treated early.

Reviewed by: T. Ernesto Figueroa, MD

http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/guys/tse.html

Vision screening –  

Vision Screening: A First Step

School vision screenings are important and can help to detect eye conditions that are defined as “commonly occurring,” meaning that they occur in more than 1% of the target population. Early detection of vision problems has a demonstrated impact on quality of life for students, especially in the case of color-blindness, which is often not assessed “in any other venue except as necessary for entry into certain occupations.”  Although traditional school vision screenings have focused on myopia (nearsightedness, or lack of clear distance vision), children need to receive an eye exam by an eye doctor in a clinical setting that can detect issues with distance vision, close vision, color detection, and binocular vision.

 “Vision problems affect nearly 13.5 million children.  Rates for vision problems increase as children age…a quarter of adolescents 12-17 are reported to have eye problems”

"Poor vision in childhood affects performance in school or at work and has a negative influence on the future of the child"

Vision problems have been shown to adversely affect a child’s achievement in school.  Myopic children have trouble reading blackboard notes or other classroom presentation materials.  Hyperopic children will have trouble reading or doing any kind of close work.  Additionally, several types of eye disorders can lead to permanent visual impairment if not identified and treated early by an eye doctor.  Vision problems can and do adversely affect students’ ability to function in and enjoy learning.

Scoliosis test - Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves to the side. It is an abnormal lateral or side-to-side curvature of the spine. This condition commonly develops during growth spurt of adolescents. It affects girls more often. This condition can be corrected if treated early before the bones have fully developed. Early detection can prevent scoliosis from progressing.

Screening Procedure: Forward Bend Test:

1. Stand facing away from the screener.

2. Bend forward at the waist 90 degrees, feet 10 cm apart, knees  straight, and feet parallel to each other.

3. Palms of the hands are facing each other and arms hang down, and are relaxed. The head is down.

 It is normal if the screener observes the following:

a.  Both sides of upper and lower back are symmetrical.

b.  Hips level and symmetrical.

 There is possible scoliosis if the screener observes the following:

a. One side of rib cage and/or the lower back showing uneven symmetry.

b. Curve in the alignment of the spine