School absenteeism effects on scholastic performance- reality check in India
Abstract
Introduction: School absenteeism is an important issue, which affects educational achievement and also results in false estimation of the prevalence of disease in school programs. This study was carried out to estimate the magnitude and its causes and its relation to school absenteeism.
Objectives: 1. To study the medical causes & social factors affecting school absenteeism. 2. To know the effect of school absenteeism on scholastic performance.
Method: It is a cross sectional study done in randomly selected in the age five to fifteen years. The study sample included 754 children. Socio-demographic profile and pre-designed questionnaires as well as school records were obtained. The marks cards of the entire year where taken to assess the scholastic performance. Significant absenteeism was taken when absenteeism was more than 15 percent.
Results: The incidence of school absenteeism was 3.1 percent .Increased incidence was found in children aged 11 to 14 years. There is increased incidence of absenteeism seen in male with the increase in the birth order and family size, with low education status of the parents and in Hindu religion. Majority of the school children were anemic. Illness is the most important cause of school absenteeism. Poor academic performance is significantly associated with incidence of absenteeism.
Conclusion: Illness constituted the major reason of absenteeism. School absenteeism had positive correlation with the academic performance of the students.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2017 Author (s). Published by Siddharth Health Research and Social Welfare Society
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