Introduction
Schools are fertile environments for the transmission of infectious diseases among students due to overcrowding, direct contact, and low health awareness among children. However, integrating community nursing into the school environment represents a strategic step to limit the spread of infections and promote public health.
Community nurses play a vital role in implementing preventive programs, spreading health education, and providing early screening and primary care services, which positively impact the health of students, teaching staff, and the community as a whole.
The Preventive Role of Community Nursing
Health Education for Students and Teachers:
The community nurse organizes awareness sessions on handwashing, personal hygiene, safe coughing and sneezing techniques, and proper waste management within the school.
Early Detection of Infectious Cases:
Nurses participate in conducting periodic check-ups for students to detect diseases such as influenza, respiratory infections, and skin infections, which helps in isolating cases early and reducing the spread of infection.

Promoting a Healthy School Environment:
Supervising the cleanliness of classrooms, water facilities, and restrooms, as well as ensuring the availability of sanitizers and proper ventilation.
School Vaccination Programs:
Community nursing contributes to organizing vaccination campaigns within schools according to national health programs, which helps prevent outbreaks among students.
Positive Impact on Infection Rates
Decreased rates of respiratory infections among students when handwashing programs are implemented.
Reduction in gastrointestinal diseases caused by contaminated food and water through hygiene education.
Raising the awareness of teaching staff and parents about disease prevention methods.
Reducing the burden on healthcare institutions by lowering the number of cases requiring treatment.
Challenges
Shortage of qualified nursing staff to work in schools.
Limited funding and healthcare resources in some educational environments.
Resistance from some parents to health interventions due to lack of awareness or misconceptions.
Conclusion
The presence of community nursing within schools serves as an effective tool to control the spread of infections and promote public health among students. Nurses are not only healthcare providers but also essential contributors to building a generation that is more health-conscious and better able to resist diseases.
It is essential for the Ministries of Health and Education to adopt clear policies to integrate community nursing into all schools to ensure a better educational and health future.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Salem Kareem Hajoul
University of Al-Mustaqbal – The First University in Iraq