Factors Influencing Intelligence Quotient of School Going Children In and Around Jamnagar - A Survey Study

Abstract

Background: The factors influencing intelligence quotient (IQ) are numerous as they embark to relate with one's life from birth till death. These potential causes which could hamper intellectual abilities which should be assessed and provided with appropriate stimuli during childhood, before the critical period of adaption in their neuronal connections ends. Aim: To analyze various biological and environmental factors influencing the IQ of school going children. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted on children aged 13-16 years through a structured format in six schools and the OPD of Kaumarabhritya department IPGT & RA, Jamnagar for which Malin's Intelligence scale for Indian children (adaptation of Wechsler's intelligence Scale) was used to assess IQ. Results: A total number of 1042 children were surveyed during the course of study. Boys dominated the population of survey but girls scored higher IQ. 43.9% of children had IQ level of dull category (70-89), 49.3% of children had IQ level of average category (90-119) and only 5% of children belonged to superior IQ category (above 110). Children studying in English medium school had overall higher IQ score when compared to those studying in Gujarati medium school. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained after survey, it was concluded that various factors encompassing biological and environmental entity did influencing the intelligence of school going children both positively & negatively.