School absenteeism among children and its correlates: A predictive model for identifying absentees

Uppal, Preena; Paul, Premila; Sreenivas, Vishnubhatla

doi:10.1007/s13312-010-0156-5

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Although numerical definition of absenteeism varies, the broad concept of absenteeism has been consistent, defined as the total number of absent days from school from the total number of available school days of a calendar year [11,37,38]. In our study, absenteeism, defined as non-attendance on at least 20% of school days, as recorded by the school, was present in 26.8% of the sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…There is no consensus definition of significant absenteeism to our knowledge, and it varies according to the cut-off points applied by different authors [11,12,37,38]. Although numerical definition of absenteeism varies, the broad concept of absenteeism has been consistent, defined as the total number of absent days from school from the total number of available school days of a calendar year [11,37,38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of exposure to conflict, tsunami and mental disorders on school absenteeism: findings from a national sample of Sri Lankan children aged 12–17 years

et al. 2013

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BackgroundArmed conflicts and natural disasters are common. Millions of people, including children are killed, injured, disabled and displaced as a result. The effects of conflict and natural disaster on mental health, especially of children are well established but effects on education have received less attention. This study investigated associations between conflict and/or tsunami exposure in Sri Lanka and their associations with absenteeism in a national sample of school children.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2006–7 among 1,505 randomly selected school children aged 12–17 years attending government schools in 17 districts. The hypotheses were that absenteeism would be more common in children previously affected by conflict or the 2004 tsunami and that at least part of this effect would be accounted for by mental disorders. Survey information included socio-demographic, conflict and tsunami exposure, mental health status (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and information on absenteeism (defined as 20% or greater non-attendance over one year).ResultsThe total sample of consisted of 1,505 students aged 12–17 years with a mean age of 13.7 years. 120 children reported at least one conflict exposure and 65 reported at least one tsunami exposure while only 15 reported exposure to both conflict and tsunami. Prevalence of emotional disorder caseness was 2.7%, conduct disorder caseness 5.8%, hyperactivity disorder caseness 0.6%, and 8.5% were identified as having any psychiatric disorder. Absenteeism was present in 26.8%. Overall, previous exposure to tsunami (OR 2.29 95% CI 1.36-3.84) was significantly associated with absenteeism whereas exposure to conflict was not (OR 1.32 95% CI 0.88-1.97), although some specific conflict-related exposures were significant risk factors. Mental disorder was strongly associated with absenteeism but did not account for its association with tsunami or conflict exposure.ConclusionsExposure to traumatic events may have a detrimental effect on subsequent school attendance. This may give rise to perpetuating socioeconomic inequality and needs further research to inform policy and intervention.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of exposure to conflict, tsunami and mental disorders on school absenteeism: findings from a national sample of Sri Lankan children aged 12–17 years

et al. 2013

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“…In Delhi, 48% children were absent for more than 2 days per month on an average. [9] In a study conducted in the US reported -11% were absent for 1 to 3 days and 2% of student were absent for 4 or more days in past 30 days. [14] This study showed illness, unfavorable weather condition, and social or family occasions were the most frequent causes of school absenteeism during the mentioned study period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Severely ill, and those who refused to participate were excluded from the study. Now, considering estimated prevalence of 48% [9] and with 10% absolute error, the sample size calculated was 96 after applying the formula -sample size = Z α/2 2 PQ/d 2 (here P [prevalence] = 0.48; Q = [1-P] = 0.52; d = allowable error). With a design effect of 2, the final sample size calculated was 192.…”

Section: Study Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of school absenteeism: A community-based study among children aged 7-18 years in a slum of Kolkata

Ghosh¹,

Dasgupta²,

Karmakar³

et al. 2018

Int J Med Sci Public Health

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Background: Education is one of the basic needs for human development and going to school regularly is crucially important for advancement of a student's academic and social skills. Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude and causes of school absenteeism and analyze the predictors of absenteeism among children in a slum community of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in a slum of Chetla, Kolkata, where 192 subjects were surveyed. A pre-tested structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: In this study, 43% of the children who were going to school had been absent for more than 2 days during the previous month and the chief reasons for their irregularity were illness (18.98%), rainy days (16.45%), and social or family occasions (11.28%). Multivariable logistic regression shows that higher age of the student odds ratio (OR) (confidence interval [CI]) 2.62(1.0-6.8) and higher edsucation level of student OR (CI) 2.67 (1.2-6) and lower education level of their mothers OR (CI) 2.96 (1.2-7.4) have significant association with school absenteeism. Conclusion: Around half of students were chronically absent which reflects a very poor academic involvement. Repeated Information Education Communication awareness programme regarding the importance of regular school attendance should be start at the community level so that attendance status can improve along with enrolment.

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“…We use the term sick days for the findings, because absenteeism may have a broader meaning beyond sickness; even though absenteeism and sick leave in the context of school children is used interchangeably by many authors. While school absenteeism has been studied elsewhere from different perspectives [4], information about health-related absenteeism in primary school children is limited. Some authors found associations of body mass index and obesity with school absenteeism, but results are not consistent [5–10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of statewide health promotion in primary schools on children’s sick days, visits to a physician and parental absence from work: a cluster-randomized trial

Kesztyüs

Lauer²,

Traub³

et al. 2016

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundBased on the World Health Organization’s global school health initiative we investigate intervention effects of statewide health promotion in schools on the numbers of children’s sick days and visits to a physician, and parental days off work due to child illness.MethodsCluster-randomized trial with 1-year follow-up in primary schools in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Anthropometric measurements of first and second grade school children were taken by trained staff. Parents filled in questionnaires for information about socio-demographics, health-related variables, numbers of children’s sick days, visits to a physician, and days parents had to stay off work to care for a sick child. Longitudinal differences in the outcome variables were calculated between baseline and follow-up. Intraclass correlation coefficients were determined to quantify a possible clustering of data in schools. Accordingly, linear models and linear mixed models were applied to identify relationships and ascertain significances.ResultsData from 1943 children (1st grade n = 1024, 6.6 ± 0.4 years old; 2nd grade n = 919, 7.6 ± 0.4 years old) were available at baseline. Unadjusted differences regarding both grades were found between mean longitudinal changes in intervention and control group in children’s sick days (−3.2 ± 7.1 vs. -2.3 ± 5.6, p = 0.013), and maternal days off work (−0.9 ± 2.4 vs. -0.5 ± 2.8, p = 0.019). The intervention effect on sick days was adjusted in a linear regression for baseline values, gender and migration background and confirmed for first grade children (B = −0.83, p = 0.003). The intervention effect on maternal days off work lost its significance after adjusting for baseline values. No significant differences were detected in the numbers of children’s visits to a physician and paternal days off work.ConclusionsSchool-based health promotion slightly reduces sick days in first grade children. Subsequently, parents may not need to stay off work themselves. Small individual effects add up to larger benefits in a statewide implementation of health promotion. Additionally, health promotion may also positively contribute to school success.Trial RegistrationThe study was registered on the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), Freiburg University, Germany, under the DRKS-ID: DRKS00000494. Registered: 25 August 2010.

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School absenteeism among children and its correlates: A predictive model for identifying absentees

Abstract: it is possible to identify potential absentees in school children.

Cited by 22 publications

References 15 publications

Impact of exposure to conflict, tsunami and mental disorders on school absenteeism: findings from a national sample of Sri Lankan children aged 12–17 years

Impact of exposure to conflict, tsunami and mental disorders on school absenteeism: findings from a national sample of Sri Lankan children aged 12–17 years

Assessment of school absenteeism: A community-based study among children aged 7-18 years in a slum of Kolkata

Effects of statewide health promotion in primary schools on children’s sick days, visits to a physician and parental absence from work: a cluster-randomized trial

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