HEALTH APPRAISED
AND..... AMAZED
Prepared By: Rosalia R. Santillan
Mapulang Lupa NHS, Valenzuela City

Something to Ponder On
Health Appraisal and Screening
Procedures
O When you were a child, your parents, older siblings,
relatives, and other concerned adults made sure you ate
the right food and had regular medical checkups,
immunizations, and other health care.
O Now that you are already an adolescent, your personal
health becomes your responsibility also. One way to do
this is to know your health status so that you can take the
necessary actions to improve your health habits and
practices.
O In case there is a sign of a medical problem, early
detection can help to prevent this from becoming serious
that would need appropriate treatment.

O Monitoring health status can be done through regular
health checkups and screening tests appropriate for
you. It is very important to know your health status.
O For school age children and adolescents, the school
health personnel, such as the school physician, school
nurse, school dentist, as well as teachers and other
school personnel perform checkups and screening tests
at the beginning and towards the end of the school
year.
O This is part of the school health service provided for
students. Screening for blood pressure is added to the
routine tests for height, weight, vision, and hearing.
Immunizations are also updated.
O Adolescents who are experiencing growth spurts may
also be screened for possible scoliosis. Scoliosis is the
abnormal curvature of the spine, which causes pain and
affects growth. Additional tests may be recommended
by your physician or health care provider as needed.

O Evaluation of the results of checkups and screening tests is
done by the school health personnel. Students who may need
health counselling, referral, and follow up will be identified and
guided for proper action.
O As an adolescent, you should always remember that you are
also responsible for your own health. Monitor your body for
changes that may need medical check up. This is often
referred to as part of self- care.
O For girls, it is recommended to check your breasts for possible
masses or lumps the moment you start menstruating. You
should do this monthly, specifically one week after the onset of
menstruation. You can do this while taking a shower or facing
the mirror.
O This breast self-examination (BSE) can help females check
any abnormalities that might need medical help. Remember,
there are normal changes during and right before menstruation
so it is better to perform BSE after menstruation. Develop the
habit of doing BSE monthly.

Health Appraisal
O This refers to a series of procedures to
assess or determine the health status of
the students through the use of teacher’s
observations, screening tests, health
histories or medical records, medical and
dental inspections and psychological tests.
They are dependent upon the cooperative
effort of
parents, teachers, physicians, dentists, he
alth educators, nurses and others in the
school program.

School Health Personnel
• School Physician- takes charge of the
medical examination of students, teachers
and other school health personnel.
• School Nurse- assists the physician in
determining the health status of the
students and other school personnel. She
is also expected to plan, organize and
administer or manage the school clinic.
• School Dentist- takes charge of the dental
examinations of students, teachers, and
other school personnel.

Duties of the School Health
Personnel
O Health Appraisal
O Health Counselling
O Health Examination
O Follow-up
O Emergency Care Program
O Control of Communicable
Diseases

Health Examinations
Dental Examination- This is done by the
school dentist who will give information on
proper dental hygiene and importance of
the teeth.
Medical Examination- this is the final step in
health appraisal with a physical
examination and evaluation made by a
physician.
Screening Test- part of the school’s health
appraisal program that seek to provide for
the students a comprehensive record on
their health.
• A. Vision Test- with the use of Snellen Chart
• B. Hearing Test- whisper test or audiometer

Scoliosis Screening
O Scoliosis is a condition in which
the spine curves to the side. It is
an abnormal lateral or side-to-side
curvature of the spine. This
condition commonly develops
during growth spurt of adolescents.
It affects girls more often. This
condition can be corrected if
treated early before the bones
have fully developed.

O The following signs should be referred to a doctor for
treatment.
O One of the shoulder blades is more prominent.
O The head is not aligned to the center of the pelvis.
O A hip appears higher or is more prominent than the
other.
O The rib cage is uneven.
O The waist is uneven.
O The entire body is leaning to one side.
In the school, your school nurse or your health teacher
can do the scoliosis screening test. During the test, the
school nurse will observe your posture for signs of
scoliosis. Early detection can prevent scoliosis from
progressing.

Screening Procedure
O Forward Bend Test:
O 1. Stand facing away from the screener.
O 2. Bend forward at the waist 90 degrees, feet 10 cm
apart, knees straight, and feet parallel to each other.
O 3. Palms of the hands are facing each other and arms
hang down,
O and are relaxed. The head is down.
O It is normal if the screener observes the following:
O Both sides of upper and lower back are symmetrical.
O Hips level and symmetrical.
O There is possible scoliosis if the screener observes
the following:
O One side of rib cage and/or the lower back showing
uneven
O symmetry.
O Curve in the alignment of the spine.

O It is very important that you are aware of any
change in your body. Any deviation from the
normal must be reported to your parents so
that you can seek medical advice.
O You can go to your school clinic to seek advice
from the health personnel there. Your teachers
can also help you. Don’t wait for your health
problem to get worse. You have to act now.
O Remember that the school health
personnel, so with your barangay health
personnel, are there to help maintain the health
of the students/people in the school or
community. Avail of any health service they
offer.

•
Warning:
The next slide is strictly for
• GIRLS ONLY!
• SEE YOU NEXT MEETING
GUYS…

Breast Self Examination
O Every woman should do breast self- examination every
month. The steps in doing this are the following:
O 1. You can do this while taking a shower. With fingers
flat, examine gently every part of each breast. Use the
right hand for the left breast, and the left hand for the
right breast. Check carefully for any lump, hard knot, or
thickening.
O 2. You can do this in front of a mirror. Examine each
breast with arms at the sides, and then raise your arms
high overhead. Look closely for the following:
O •changes in shape of each breast
O •swelling, redness
O •dimpling of the skin
O •changes in the nipple

• Next, with palms on hips, press down firmly to flex the chest
muscles. Check the breast again carefully.
• 1. Do the following lying down:
• •Place a pillow or folded towel under the right shoulder.
• •Place your right hand behind your head.
• •With the fingers of your left hand flat, press gently in small
circular motion around an imaginary clock face. Start at the
outermost top or 12 o’clock position of your right breast, and
then move your left hand to 1 o’clock and so on around the
circle back to 1 o’clock. Move the hand inch by inch toward the
nipple. Keep circling to examine every part of the breast,
including the nipple. Do the same on the left breast.
• Press the nipple of each breast gently between the thumb and
index finger.
• Note any discharge such as milk or blood. Report this
immediately to a doctor.

References
O MAPEH I by. Perez, Luna and Tomas
O Health Grade 7 Teacher’s Guide
O Health Grade 7 Learner’s Guide