Impact of child emotional and behavioural difficulties on educational outcomes of primary school children in Ethiopia : a population-based cohort study
Date
2020-05-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: The relationship between child emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) and educational outcomes has not been investigated in prospective, community studies from low-income countries.
Methods: The association between child EBD symptoms and educational outcomes was examined in an ongoing
cohort of 2090 mother–child dyads. Child EBD was measured when the mean age of children was 6.5 years, SD 0.04
(T0) and 8.4, SD 0.5 years (T1) using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Educational outcomes were
obtained from maternal report (drop-out) at T1 and from school records at when the mean age of the children was
9.3 (SD 0.5) years (T2).
Result: After adjusting for potential confounders, child EBD symptoms at T1 were associated significantly with school
absenteeism at T2: SDQ total score: Risk Ratio (RR) 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 1.02; SDQ high score (≥ 14)
RR 1.36; 95% CI 1.24, 1.48; emotional subscale RR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01, 1.04; hyperactivity subscale RR 1.03; 95% CI 1.02,
1.04 and peer problems subscale (RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00, 1.04). High SDQ (β = − 2.89; 95% CI − 5.73, − 0.06) and the
conduct problems sub-scale (β = − 0.57; 95% CI − 1.02, − 0.12) had a significant negative association with academic
achievement. There was no significant association between child EBD and school drop-out.
Conclusion: Prospective associations were found between child EBD symptoms and increased school absenteeism
and lower academic achievement, suggesting the need for child mental health to be considered in interventions
Description
CITATION: Mekonnen, H., et al. 2018. Impact of child emotional and behavioural difficulties on educational outcomes of primary school children in Ethiopia : a population-based cohort study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 14:22, doi:10.1186/s13034-020-00326-6.
The original publication is available at https://capmh.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://capmh.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
Education, Primary -- Africa, Sub-Saharan, Academic achievement -- Primary school children -- Africa, Sub-Saharan, Adjustment disorders in children -- Africa, Sub-Saharan, Child mental health -- Africa, Sub-Saharan, Absenteeism (School) -- Africa, Sub-Saharan
Citation
Mekonnen, H., et al. 2018. Impact of child emotional and behavioural difficulties on educational outcomes of primary school children in Ethiopia : a population-based cohort study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 14:22, doi:10.1186/s13034-020-00326-6