Characteristics Associated With School Health Services for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions

Abstract

It is unknown how health services staff (school nurse or school physician) or school characteristics are associated with the number of services provided for chronic health conditions in schools. Using data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study, four services (identification or school-based management, tracking, case management, and referrals) were analyzed using a multivariable ordered logistic regression. Approximately 57.2% of schools provided all four, 17.5% provided three, 10.1% provided two, 5.8% provided one, and 9.4% did not provide any such services. Schools with a school nurse were 51.5% ( p < .001) more likely to provide all four, and schools with access to consult with a school physician were 15.4% ( p < .05) more likely, compared to schools without one. Schools comprised of mostly racial/ethnic minority students (less than or equal to 50% non-Hispanic White) were 14.7% ( p < .05) less likely to provide all four, compared to schools with greater than 50% White students.