Assessment of Health and Nutritional Status in Children Based on School Screening Programs

Results: Out of 2596 children, 1113 (42.9%) and 1483 (57.1%) were girls and boys, respectively. The prevalence of caries was 62.8% (95% CI: 60.9, 64.6) with a decayed, missing and filled tooth (DMFT) mean of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.76). Totally, 16.41% of the study samples had gingivitis. The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting among schoolchildren was 3.1%, 9.48% and 2.85%, respectively. Hypertension was detected in 5.55% (95% CI: 4.67, 6.43). The prevalence of caries, gingivitis, and hypertension was more common in boys than in girls. Conclusions: Although the high prevalence of health disorders was found among schoolchildren, these rates were lower than those of previous studies in other regions. Results of the current study can help health policy makers to design educational programs concerning dental and public health interventions to deal with nutritional problems in children.