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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access originally published online on December 15, 2004
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 2005 51(1):25-32; doi:10.1093/tropej/fmh070
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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, Vol. 51, No. 1 © Oxford University Press 2005; all rights reserved

Relationship Between Physical, Environmental and Sociodemographic Factors and School Performance in Primary Schoolchildren

Elif N. Özmert1 *, Kadriye Yurdakök1, Sebnem Soysal2, Mavis E. Kulak-Kayikçi3, Erol Belgin3, Emin Özmert4, Yahya Laleli5 and Osman Saraçbasi6

1 Department of Social Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, 2 Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, 3 Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, 4 Department of Opthalmology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey, 5 Düzen Laboratories, Ankara, Turkey, 6 Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Poor primary school performance is a risk factor for low high-school and university graduation, as well as poverty in later life. In this case-control study, the relation between a variety of physical, environmental and sociodemographic factors, and primary school performance was investigated. Grade one students with good and poor school achievement, from different socioeconomic levels were studied. A questionnaire about the sociodemographic characteristics and child's medical history, together with a Child Behavior Checklist, was filled out by parents. Physical examination, visual and hearing screening were performed. Blood count and blood lead levels were determined. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was performed to determine the IQ. A total of 177 students participated in the study. Stepwise logistic regression revealed an independent positive relation between duration of study (OR, 2.69; Cl, 1.19–6.05; p = 0.016), maternal education (OR, 1.47; Cl, 1.14–1.87; p = 0.002), full scale score of WISC-R (OR, 1.08; Cl, 1.03–1.3; p = 0.002) and school performance. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that the risk of having a below average full scale WISC-R score was higher among children having a hearing loss, uncorrected vision loss, heating house with stove, cigarette smoking of both parents, and low paternal education (less than 8 years). The chance of having an above average full scale WISC-R score was lower among children whose either parent smoked cigarettes, height-for-age percentile was below 10, and maternal education was less than 8 years. Policies for increasing male and female education, growth monitoring, appropriate feeding (breastfeeding and weaning), well-baby and child followup and clean environment (indoor and outdoor) will not only promote the physical health but also promote the cognitive development of the new generations.

* Correspondence: Elif N. Özmert, Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health, Department of Social Pediatrics, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail <eozmert{at}superonline.com>.


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