Oladele Simeon Olatunya1, Oluwasola Julius Oke1, Bankole Peter Kuti2, Iyiade Adeseye Ajayi3, Oyebanji Olajuyin4, Olubunmi Omotosho-Olagoke5, Adekunle Bamidele Taiwo6, Opeyemi Ayodeji Faboya6, Ayodeji Ajibola6. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University, 360101 Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. 2. Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University, 220282 Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Ekiti State University, 360101 Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, Ekiti State University, 360101 Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, 360101 Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. 6. Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, 360101 Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of information on factors that influence the school performance of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in Nigeria, despite her huge burden of the disease. Methods: In total, 101 children with SCA were recruited at a paediatric clinic in Nigeria. Their socio-demographic-matched classmates were the controls. Academic performance and cognitive functioning were obtained from school reports and Ziler's Draw-a-Person Test, respectively. Factors influencing the academic performance were determined. Results: Children with SCA had higher rates of school absence and lower haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.05). There was no difference in overall school performance between children with SCA and controls (59.0 vs. 60.6%; p = 0.256). School absenteeism > 1 week independently predicts poor school performance among the study participants (odds ratio = 15.71; 95% confidence interval = 5.93-41.66; p =0.000). Most SCA children with poor performance were absent from school for > 1 week. Conclusion: There is need to address causes of school absenteeism among children with SCA.
Background: There is a paucity of information on factors that influence the school performance of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in Nigeria, despite her huge burden of the disease. Methods: In total, 101 children with SCA were recruited at a paediatric clinic in Nigeria. Their socio-demographic-matched classmates were the controls. Academic performance and cognitive functioning were obtained from school reports and Ziler's Draw-a-Person Test, respectively. Factors influencing the academic performance were determined. Results:Children with SCA had higher rates of school absence and lower haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.05). There was no difference in overall school performance between children with SCA and controls (59.0 vs. 60.6%; p = 0.256). School absenteeism > 1 week independently predicts poor school performance among the study participants (odds ratio = 15.71; 95% confidence interval = 5.93-41.66; p =0.000). Most SCA children with poor performance were absent from school for > 1 week. Conclusion: There is need to address causes of school absenteeism among children with SCA.
Authors: Esther Karen Pijl; Yvonne Theodora Maria Vanneste; Angelique Eveline de Rijk; Frans Joseph Maria Feron; Jolanda Mathijssen Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 3.295