57. In 1952 and 1963 the work of the anti-venereal disease section was restricted to the follow-up of prostitutes who defaulted from treatment. In 1954 a beginning was made in the follow-up of married women and male defaulters who had not responded to follow-up letters.
58. Considerable emphasis has been laid this year on Health Education activities. Special films have been made and shown to selected public audiences with considerable effect and the special value of ante-natal blood tests, penicillin treatment, and contact investigation were stressed. Close liaison is main- tained with the Moral Welfare Sub-Committee.
School Health Service.
59. In accordance with the terms of Government's agree- ment with the World Health Organization the latter body seconded a Public Health School Nurse Instructor in June 1954 to assist in and advise on the School Health Service. For training and demonstration purposes four schools were selected with a total enrolment of approximately 20,000 students, and good results have been achieved.
60. In September, 1954, the World Health Organization Regional Adviser on Health Education visited the Colony and as a result of his visit a special co-ordinating team on Health Education was formed, consisting of W.H.O. Maternity and Child Health personnel and their local counterparts, and members of both the Education and Medical Departments, to study methods of health education and to experiment and implement suggestions. An Education Officer has been assigned for work in relation to Health Education in schools and as a liaison officer to the School Health Service. New films and film strips have been added to the Education Department Library and all schools with suitable equipment may have them on loan. Health Education is part of the compulsory course for first year students of the Northcote Teacher's Training College, and the majority of the lectures are given by the staff of the School
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Health Service. The course at Northcote Training College is attended also by undergraduates of the Department of Educa- tion, Hong Kong University. During the year these Health Education courses were completely revised and now the same basic course is used for all students, one course being given in English and the other in Cantonese. A second year course on Health Education for students of Northcote Training College is under consideration.
61. The number of participants in the service rose from 46,051 to 52,329 and this figure is expected to increase as a result of new schools which are being opened in the Colony.
62. During the year 63,060 medical inspections were carried out, 20,490 on new entrants to the service and 42,570 re-examinations. Only 28.72% of the students were found without apparent defects and 53.06% were listed for observation or re-inspection. The remaining 18.22% were noted for treat- ment. The nutritional state of the new entrants and the pupils re-examined showed a lower standard and the following table shows the percentage of those classified as slightly below normal and poor for the last three years:
TABLE 11
1954
1953
1952
New entrants ...................N
Re-examination
SL179%
15.94%
17.64%%
20.55%
17.23%
21.61%
63. It has been agreed in principle that where necessary and practicable, new Government schools should be planned to include a special school clinic. These clinics will not be for the sole use of the school to which they are attached but will be to meet the requirements of all schools in the area. The first of these new clinics was opened towards the end of the year.
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