Objective To investigate the prevention and control of disease at primary and secondary public schools in Shanghai.

Methods In a total of 36 schools from 3 urban areas and 3 suburbs selected by multi-stage randomized sampling were investigated with questionnaires.

Results Of the 36 schools, 7 schools had infirmaries with practicing license of medical institution.There were 47.2% schools whose proportion of students and health care personnel reached 600:1.The proportion of the prevention and control system for every diseases was above 80.0%.All kinds of health education activities were carried out, and physical examination for students was organized every year.All schools had flush toilets and there was no feces exposed.There were 5 (13.9%) schools in which the distance between canteen or water source and garbage collection was less than 25 meters.There was no statistically significant difference between the urban and suburban schools in this regard.

Conclusion The work of infectious diseases prevention and control system and physical examination for students of primary and secondary schools in Shanghai basically meet the requirements.More attention should be paid to understaffed personnel, health education, diet and drinking water sanitation management.