Student Health Figures Given

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31098, 29 June 1966, Page 22

Student Health Figures Given

The Student Health Service at the University of Canterbury conducted 2010 medical interviews in 1965—1099 of them initial checks of newcomers and 911 annual repeats.

Seventy-four were graded as “outstandingly healthy,” 1110 were of high average, and 650 of lower average health, and 176 were in grade three.

Chief among the defects were skin troubles (mostly acne or tinea) and these 1041 students were 51.8 per cent of the total. Another 307 (15.3 per cent) had orthopedic defects, mostly flat feet.

There were 243 (12.1 per cent) with general medical defects, 131 (6.5 per cent) had psychological troubles, and 129 (6.4 per cent) had general surgical defects. Fifty-two (2.6 per cent) had ear, nose, or throat trouble, and only 22 (1.1 per cent) had dental defects. The report notes that dental fitness was high. Eye faults were noticed in 675 students (33.6 per cent) but these were mostly refractive errors. A total of 1050 chest 'X-rays were performed and no tuberculosis was detected nor other serious chest or heart ' conditions. Excluding the general counselling service, the health service held 738 mental health consultations. Of these 284 had mental health problems. In the general medical i scheme for the sick and

injured, the service gave 4691 consultations. This is for students whose homes are outside Christchurch.