Summary written by Dr. Basant Maharjan

"Two day long General and Dental Health Assessment Program for school children and people of Langtang Village of Rasuwa District was conducted on Sept. 25 and 26 2006 in Langtang Village. The objectives of the health camp were:

1. To identify and manage existing general health problems and dental problems of the school children and other people of Langtang Village through the camp and distribute medicines as per need

2. Refer the patients at appropriate service center those who need higher level management for the existing problems

3. To impart general and oral health education

In total, general health of 157 persons and dental / oral health of 67 persons were checked up in two days. Out of 224 cases examined, 172 were medicated for some problems.

Prior five member medical team from phect-NEPAL/Kthmandu Model Hospital along with two members from Mandala Welfare Society was left for the camp on Sept. 22, 2006. Local volunteers, teachers and health post staff have also supported in the camp.

Result of general and oral / dental health check up of school children and other children

In total, 70 children were examined by a doctor on the 1st day of the camp. The doctor was assisted by a staff nurse. Out of 70 children, 25 (35,7%) were found with sound general health condition. 5 Children were found with history of repeated ear infection. The children may need consultation of ENT specialist sometime in coming days. One child having history of seizure disorder was asked for consult neurologist at higher center for further management. Somemajor problems detected clinically are:

• Intestinal worm infestation, diarrhoea and unspecified abdominal pain - 16

• Middle ear infection and impacted wax - 9

• Skin problems - 6

• Chest and upper respiratory tract infection - 5

• Unspecified headaches - 3

• other

Age, height and weight of the children were measured as indicators for calculating nutrition status. Considering weight for height of the children, 13 were fall under moderate malnutrition state and no one fell under severe. And, considering height for age, eight children fell under moderate stunting state and one under severe stunting state. Since the accurate age of the children were not verified from the date of birth, calculated result of the nutritional status may not be matched with actual status.

Oral / dental health check up of 42 school children was performed. Out of 42 school children, 26 (62%) were found with one or more decayed teeth (caries). Three children received restoration treatment (filling) and diseased deciduos teeth of five children were extracted. One oral health education session including teaching of brushing technique was conducted for school children and their guardians by oral hygienist.

Result of general and oral / dental health check up of school children and other children

On day 2, the camp was opened for other patients of the Langtang Village. 87 patients were benefited from the general health camp and 25 from the dental camp. Out of 87 patients who have attended general health check up, 33 (38%) were found with acid peptic disease. The other problems, found were osteo arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain (18), abdominal pain, dysentery, unspecified headache, anemia and other. Two were found with hypertension.

Out of 42 patients who attended for dental check up, 15 (36%) were found with dental caries. Among them, one has got restoration treatment and seven have taken out their diseased / loose teeth."

Dr. Basant Maharjan"

Dental check up doing by Dr. Subasani

10/2006 , Florian Drews, nepalmed, drews_florian@hotmail.com / nepalmed@gmx.de