title: Health, safety and environment conditions in primary schools of Northern Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People spend a considerable part of their childhood time in the schools, a phase that coincides with their physical and mental growth. A healthy educational environment is vital to student's health and wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a descriptive study conducted in 100 primary schools (both state and nonprofit schools) from Sari's Districts 1 and 2 in Iran. Sampling was performed by census and data were collected using the standard questionnaire by direct interview. Data were analyzed by Excel and SPSS software (Version 20.0. IBM Corp, Armonk), NY: IBM Corp using independent numerical T2 testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant relationship was observed between the kind of schools (P = 0.045) and their locations (P = 0.024), however the health, safety and environment (HSE) ratings among boys only versus girls only schools were similar (P = 0.159). Interestingly private and nongovernment schools and primary schools from Sari's districts one had consistently higher HSE ratings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differential and higher HSE ratings in primary schools run by Private organizations and primary schools from Sari's districts one could be due to manager's awareness and implementation of recommended HSE standards, schools neglecting and overlooking these standards had lower HSE ratings. It is necessary that schools with lower HSE ratings are made aware of the guidelines and necessary infrastructures allocated to improve their HSE ratings.
authors: Department of Health, Mazandran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors: Seyed Mohammad Asadi
authors: SM
authors: Behzadkolaee
authors: Faculty of Health, Mzandran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors: Seyed Taghi
authors: ST
authors: Mirmohammadi
authors: Faculty of Health, Mzandran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors: Jamshid
authors: J
authors: Yazdani
authors: Mazandran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors: Ali Morad Heidari
authors: AM
authors: Gorji
authors: Education and Training Province Mazandran, Sari, Iran.
authors: Ameneh
authors: A
authors: Toosi
authors: Mazandran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Rokni
authors: GP, Department of Nursing, Sari, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Ali Heidari
authors: MA
authors: Gorji
keywords: Health; inventory and vocational health; primary schools; safety and environment; sari town