Comparative analysis of health problems in students from elementary school and middle school in Lublin, 2010–2015

Background.
The results of the European Health Interview Surveys, performed in 2014, has indicated that every fourth child in Poland has long-term health problems or chronic diseases.

Objectives
Diagnosis and comparison of the most common health problems occurring among children attending primary and middle school.

Material and methods
The study has an epidemiological cross-sectional character, and it is concerned with health problems in the Lublin primary and middle school population. The source of data was secondary materials derived from the statistical reporting documentation “Collective analysis of students’ health status”, covering the years 2010–2015 and conducted by a nurse of the teaching and learning environment under contract with the National Health Fund.

Results
Health problems were diagnosed in 44.3% (n = 846) of primary school students and 50.6% (n = 804) of middle school students. Excessive body weight and endocrine disorders and eye diseases are significantly more common in the middle school students than in primary school children (p < 0.001). In contrast, younger children are more likely to be diagnosed with hearing and speech disorders (p < 0.001) and increased incidence of injuries (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The frequency of health disorders increases with the age of the students. The predominant health problem among both primary school and middle school students is defects and diseases of the motor organs. The most common chronic diseases diagnosed among school children are allergic diseases. Accidents and injuries are the most common health risks to the developmental age population.