Primary School Children Research Articles

Experimental Study: The Impact of Traditional Team Games on Gross Motor Locomotor Skills and Social Skills of Elementary School Children

Background: In the 21st century, children often prefer modern video games, which can lead to decreased physical activity and increased screen time. This lack of physical activity can result in poor motor skills and social skills among children. Motor and social skills are crucial for the development and growth of primary school children. Locomotor gross motor skills focus on walking, running, jumping, and skipping, which help children improve movement during physical activities. Social skills help children communicate with peers, understand friends, establish cooperation, and build healthy interpersonal relationships. It is believed that traditional games can help children aged 10‑12 improve their motor and social skills. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the impact of traditional team sports on optimizing locomotor gross motor skills and social skills in children aged 10‑12 years. Design/methodology/approach: This research study utilized a quasi‑experimental research method. The traditional games used in the study were gobak sodor and bakiak team. The study focused on children aged 10‑12 years. The instruments used for assessment were the Test of Gross Motor Development‑2 (TGMD‑II) for evaluating gross motor ability and a social skills questionnaire. The data were analyzed using a t‑test at a 5% significance level. Results and Conclusion: The analysis results of the first few t‑tests showed that the t‑count value (16.102) was greater than the t‑table value (2.093), and the p‑value (0.000) was less than 0.05. This indicates that there is an effect of traditional team games on the gross motor development of children aged 10‑12 years. The results of the second t‑test analysis also indicated that the t‑count value (14.912) was greater than the t‑table value (2.093), suggesting an effect of traditional team games on both gross motor abilities and social skills of children in the same age group. In the third t‑test analysis, the t‑count value was greater than the t‑table value, indicating differences between the experimental group and the control group. This suggests an effect of traditional team games on the development of gross motor skills and social abilities of children aged 10‑12 years.

Increased Salivary BDNF and Improved Fundamental Motor Skills in Children Following a 3-Month Integrated Neuromuscular Training in Primary School.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein involved in synaptic transmission and neuronal plasticity, which underlie the processes of learning and memory formation. Acute exercise and exercise training increase BDNF concentration. We aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-month integrated neuromuscular training (INT) on salivary BDNF concentration and the mastery of fundamental motor skills in school-aged children. An additional goal was to explore the associations between potential changes in BDNF and fundamental motor skills. Sixty-seven primary school-aged children were randomly allocated to control (N = 32; 7.52 ± 0.31 y) or INT groups (N = 35; 7.56 ± 0.29 y). A 3-month INT was applied during the warm-up of physical education (PE) classes, twice weekly. Salivary BDNF was measured using a sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the mastery of fundamental motor skills was assessed using the CAMSA test, at baseline and after 3 months. The children in the INT group, as compared to the children in the control group, exhibited higher salivary BDNF (F = 8.865; p = 0.004), higher scores for sidestep (F = 13.240, p = 0.001), 1-foot hop (F = 11.684, p = 0.001), kick (F = 4.010, p = 0.050), the sum of locomotor skills (F = 18.799, p < 0.0001), and the sum of control and manipulative skills (F = 8.151, p = 0.006), as well as the total sum of fundamental motor skills (F = 11.266, p = 0.001) after the 3 months. Interestingly, the increase in salivary BDNF concentration after the 3-month INT was associated with an improvement in locomotor skills (beta = 0.385; p = 0.039; adjusted R2 = 0.088) and the total improvement in fundamental motor skills (beta = 0.428; p = 0.020; adjusted R2 = 0.124). A school-based 3-month INT increased salivary BDNF and improved the mastery of fundamental motor skills in children, highlighting the positive impact of this intervention for a pediatric population.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among primary school children in Kandahar City, Afghanistan: a cross-sectional analytical study

BackgroundUndernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, and underweight, is a global problem, especially among children of low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, this study is first of its type from Afghanistan. Its main objectives were to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among urban primary school children in Kandahar city of Afghanistan.MethodsThis school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1205 primary school children aged 6–12 years during a period of six months (October 2022–March 2023). Anthropometric measurements and other data were collected from all the participants. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi square test (using crude odds ratio or COR), and multivariate logistic regression (using adjusted odds ratio or AOR).ResultsAmong the 1205 enrolled government school students, 47.4%, 19.5%, and 25.6% had stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight, respectively. Statistically significant factors associated with stunting were age group 6–9 years (AOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), being girl (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–3.0), poverty (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.2), large family (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 2.4–3.9), illiterate mother (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6), jobless head of the family (AOR 3.3, 95% CI 2.3–4.8), and skipping breakfasts (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3). Main factor associated with wasting/thinness were age group 6–9 years (AOR 30.5, 95% CI 11.8–78.7), skipping breakfasts (AOR 22.9, 95% CI 13.9–37.8), and history of sickness during the past two weeks (AOR 17.0, 95% CI 6.6–43.8). Also, main factors associated with underweight were age group 6–9 years (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.1), skipping breakfasts (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.6), and poor sanitation (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2).ConclusionsStunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight are highly prevalent among primary school children (both girls and boys) in Kandahar city. It is recommended that local government (Afghanistan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health) with the help of international organizations and donor agencies should implement comprehensive school-based feeding programs especially for girls. Health and nutrition education programs should be conducted with emphasis on nutrition of children aged 6–9 years as well as importance of healthy breakfast and good sanitation.

In Spiderman we trust: The influence of familiar media characters on the decision-making of primary school children

Children are increasingly active consumers in the media world and are thus confronted with a wide range of information. Making good decisions in such an environment is a major challenge. Weighting valid information in decision-making is an important skill that children must learn and apply. Yet, how do children weight information and which weights do they use? We developed a measuring instrument for children's weighting of advices by cue validity – the so-called Space Treasure Hunt. It is an easy to understand, child-friendly decision game. By anchoring it in the reality of children's media lives, we are able to assess the influence of familiarity and affect on children's decision making. During a treasure hunt in game situated in outer space, children are confronted with various characters who provide contradictory advice regarding where to find treasures. One of the advice-givers was an expert (valid cue), whereas the other advice-giver varied in terms of its media familiarity and affect. In our study (N = 372), we found that media familiar characters had a strong influence on children's decision-making. Media idols showed an assimilation effect, meaning that children followed the expert's advice the least often when it contradicted their media idol. Conversely, media familiar but less liked characters showed a contrast effect, meaning that children followed the expert's advice most often when it contradicted the media familiar, less liked character. Moreover, we found differences between children in terms of a three-way split: One third of the children, respectively, systematically followed the expert's advice, the media idol, or made their decisions unsystematically. We discuss how our results indicate the use of different weights in children's decision making.

Мeans of restorative treatment of children of younger school age sick of bronchial asthma in rehabilitation institutions

Bronchial asthma is a problem of extreme urgency, as morbidity and mortality from it are constantly increasing throughout the civilized world. Among chronic diseases of respiratory organs, pathology occupies a leading place. In different countries, its prevalence varies from 10 to 15%. This is associated with high disability and mortality of patients with BA. Based on the analysis of literary and other sources of information, theoretical material on the use of means of restorative treatment for children of primary school age with bronchial asthma in rehabilitation institutions was studied and selected. Among the diseases of the respiratory system in children, various forms of bronchial asthma occupy a prominent place in the development of children's disability. Morbidity and mortality from it are constantly increasing throughout the civilized world. The article discusses the issues of non-drug treatment of bronchial asthma in children. The relevance of the problem of rehabilitation of children with bronchial asthma is due to the urgent need to facilitate their life and adaptation to the environment, as well as to improve the level of self-care. Accordingly, physical therapy of such children occupies an important place, because it improves their physical condition, contributes to the effective correction of functional insufficiency of the respiratory system, provides training of the cardiovascular system, which leads to better activity of the child in educational activities and adaptation in society. The aim of the study. Theoretical substantiation of the necessity and essence of the use of physical therapy in the complex rehabilitation of children of primary school age, patients with bronchial asthma, in rehabilitation institutions. Research methods. Analytical review of literary and information sources, study of the state of the issue and systematization of modern scientific and methodological knowledge and results of practical experience of leading specialists in physical rehabilitation regarding the issue of rehabilitation of children with bronchial asthma. Literary sources (scientific articles, textbooks, manuals, dissertation research abstracts) are selected from the electronic databases of the National Library of Ukraine named after V.I. Vernadskyi, Web of Science, PubMed and others.

Justification of the need to search and use pre-nosological markers of functional deviations of posture of children 6-7 years at the stage of formation of student skills

The problem of forming a healthy posture of schoolchildren is in dire need of an effective solution over the past decades. So according to K.I. Khodatskaya, A.A. Kuts, 2020 and others, posture disorders in children of primary school age are 62.8%, and among adolescents 11-15 years old they reach 80-90% of the total number of students. Purpose: theoretically and experimentally substantiate the feasibility of finding and using pre-nosological markers of posture disorders of students 6-7 years old at the stage of adaptation of the musculoskeletal system for school educational loads. The methodological basis of the study was the component analysis of the second variant of the Romberg test, on the basis of which the indicators of stability coefficients of the equilibrium function (EMF) and asymmetry of the equilibrium function (EDF) were calculated. Research methods: theoretical analysis of scientific and methodological literature, dynamic pedagogical observation, Romberg functional test (second option), goniometry of the spine according to V. A. Hamburtsev, stating experiment, statistical methods. Contingent of subjects: the study involved 12 boys 6-7 years old, first grade students of secondary schools of the city, who were assigned to the main group for health reasons. Scientific novelty: for the first time developed a complex of pre-nosological markers of posture for students 6-7 years old, who start school load; A preventive approach to the formation of posture of students 6-7 years old at the stage of adaptation to educational loads is substantiated, criteria that determine the risk group regarding the predicted occurrence of certain functional deviations in the posture state are worked out. The effectiveness of the goniometry method for studying the dynamics of indicators of the morphofunctional state of the spine of students 6-7 years old during the first year of school has been confirmed. The practical significance of the results obtained is that primary school teachers and parents will receive a ready-made toolkit based on innovative technologies for carrying out specific health-saving work in the direction of forming the posture of children 6-7 years old during the first year of schooling and the entire period of schooling.

Components of a strength-training fitness program with children of junior and middle school age

The article analyzes the peculiarities of the implementation of the main components of the strength training program with children of primary and secondary school age. The understanding of the fitness program as a systematically organized sequence of activities aimed at promoting the development of fitness has been updated. The author notes that a well-planned fitness program should include both aerobic training to develop cardiorespiratory endurance and strength training to develop strength and power endurance. It is claimed that the main components of a strength-oriented fitness program are cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, power endurance, and flexibility. The author clarified that for the functional development of the human body in fitness programs, the volumes of movement activity and indicators of heart rate should be rationally defined. It is noted that the key factors in building strength training programs are compliance with the principles of specificity, supercompensation, individualization, systematicity, and safety. The author outlined the features of building a fitness program with strength training for children. It was found that the decisive condition for ensuring optimal and effective impact on the body is the correspondence of the amount of loads.

Creativity, theory of mind and loneliness – The links between cognitive and social abilities of school-age children

In this study, we explored the relationships among children's creative imagery abilities, their theory of mind (ToM) and loneliness. A large sample (N = 743) of primary school-age children (M age = 9.3 years, SD = 0.45 years) solved two performance tasks (creative imagery and ToM) and provided self-reported frequencies of feelings of loneliness. We tested the fit of a structural equation model with aspects of creative abilities (creative imagery and fluency) as predictors of ToM and examined the links between ToM and the quality of relationships with peers and the frequency of feelings of loneliness. The obtained relationships indicate a positive association between creative imagery and ToM and a negative link between ToM and feelings of loneliness. Consequently, the indirect effect of “creative imagery – ToM – loneliness” was negative, which suggests that creative imagery might serve as a factor that reduces the feeling of loneliness among children due to their ToM. We discuss the potential consequences of these findings and propose future avenues that could be explored to untangle the mechanisms behind the identified links. Educational relevance and implications statementIn the study, we analysed the relationships among creative abilities, ToM and feelings of loneliness among children of primary school age. Our results show that richer creative imagery is positively associated with abilities to understand others. Moreover, children with advanced ToM feel less lonely at school among peers than those without such levels of ToM. Consequently, we posit that creative imagery might bring some overlooked benefits for children's social functioning, thanks to the role it plays for ToM.

Association between physical activity and inhibitory control in children

ABSTRACT Evidence supports a positive association between physical activity and executive function in children. How physical activity performed in different contexts associates with inhibitory control remains unclear. This cross-sectional study examined associations between inhibitory control and four measures of physical activity (activity during PE, breaktime, outside school and in sport) in 340 primary school children (8.6 ± 1.6 years old, n = 197 female). In models adjusted for sex, age, adiposity and SES, greater activity during breaktime was associated with fewer commission errors in the sustained attention (β =−0.10, 95%CI: −0.19, −2.95e-03, p = .04) and inhibition tasks (β = −0.06, 95%CI: −0.11, −9.33e-03, p = .02). These results suggest that unsupervised active play at school is associated with higher levels of inhibitory control.

Behavior Problem and Mental Health of Children Affected by Floods-2022 in Pakistan

Objectives The present study aimed to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics, damage to perceived needs, post-traumatic stress symptoms, general effect of flood and behavior problems among flood-affected children. Method Cross-sectional research design was used. A sample of 76 children (aged 8–16 years, experienced extreme hazard flood event) was collected from two schools in a flood-affected rural community in South Punjab-Pakistan through purposive sampling. Children revised impact of event scale-13 and a pediatric symptom checklist were used to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and internalizing, externalizing or inattention behavior problems respectively. Results Primary school children who reported financial loss in terms of damage to houses, difficulty faced by parents in building new houses and living in tents were more affected by the flood. Age was a significant positive predictor of the general effect of flood on children. Female children positively predicted arousal PTSD and pediatric behavior problems including inattention problems. Moreover, children who lost their pets had more post-traumatic stress symptoms, as well as externalizing and inattention behavior problems. Number of times previously exposed to floods positively predicted arousal PTSD. Post-traumatic stress symptoms positively predicted behavior problems. Conclusion Primary school children affected by a flood are at greatest risk of developing behavior and mental health problems.

Comparison of Effectiveness of Two Different Practical Approaches to Teaching Basic Life Support and Use of an Automated External Defibrillator in Primary School Children.

Background and Objectives: As the first three links of the chain of survival of victims of cardiac arrest depend on prompt action by bystanders, it is important to educate as much of the population as possible about basic life support and use of an automatic external defibrillator (BLS and AED). Schoolchildren are an accessible population that can be easily taught and numerous BLS and AED courses are available. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two different practical approaches to teaching BLS and AED. Material and Methods: We compared two different BLS and AED courses (course A and B) offered to 280 eighth- and ninth-grade students in primary schools. Knowledge about and the intention to perform BLS and AED were evaluated using validated questionnaires before and after the courses. Descriptive methods were used to describe the results. To compare courses, we used the Mann-Whitney U test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Differences in knowledge and intention to perform BLS and AED after the courses were significant between courses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.037, respectively). After course A, students demonstrated significantly better knowledge and numerically greater intention to perform BLS and AED (intention score 6.55 ± 0.61 out of 7). Conclusions: Courses in which students have the opportunity to individually practice BLS skills show a greater increase in knowledge and in intention to perform BLS and AED.

Effectiveness of a Social-Media-Based Diet and Physical Activity Programme for Fathers in Japan: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Provision of healthy lifestyle support for fathers can improve the lifestyles and health awareness of not only fathers but also their children and families. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of education targeting healthy fathers provided via social media. Hence, we aimed to clarify the effects of providing fathers with information on healthy lifestyle habits via social media on their awareness and behaviours regarding diet, physical activity, and healthcare, in addition to such a programme's indirect effects on their children. This randomised controlled trial included 73 fathers of primary school children in Japan. The intervention group received information on 'healthy lifestyle', 'lifestyle-related diseases', 'healthy diet', and 'healthy physical activity' via social media six times every 2 weeks. Data were collected before, 3 months after, and 4 months after the intervention. The intervention was effective in improving some awareness regarding diet, physical activity, and healthcare. In addition, the fathers in the intervention group demonstrated significantly improved interest in their child's diet and exercise habits. Social-media-based diet and physical activity programmes for fathers improved their awareness and behaviour. Therefore, social-media-based health education programmes can be an important tool for increasing fathers' interest in their own health and in their children's lifestyles.

Screening Preadolescents for Keratoconus Risk Factors in a Low-Resource Setting.

Diagnosis of keratoconus (KC) involves the identification of corneal signs, refraction, and corneal imaging. The prevalence of KC ranges between 0.4 per 100,000 and 4,790, depending on geographical location and ethnicity. Diagnosis of KC should occur early for appropriate management with relatively affordable, accessible options to prevent visual impairment in low-income settings. Written consent and assent were obtained from subjects before a questionnaire was administered to collate demographics, general and ocular history of subjects, and keratoconus risk factors. A novel scoring system was applied to identify subjects at a higher risk of developing KC and document KC risk factors prevalent in Harare using an informed risk score calculation. Thousand one hundred fifty-three subjects aged between 6 and 12 years were seen. The prevalence of KC was found to be 626/100,000 in primary school children resident in Harare. Reduced visual acuity, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, itchy eyes, eye rubbing, and atopy are the most prevalent KC risk factors identified in this community. Informed risk score calculation proved valuable in the screening for KC. The prevalence of KC in primary school children in Harare is 626/100,000, which is relatively high. School-aged children stand to benefit from the early screening for KC based on evidence-based practices in the absence of advanced clinical instrumentation.

Associations of family socioeconomic indicators and physical activity of primary school-aged children: a systematic review

BackgroundFamily socioeconomic indicators (education, occupation, and household income) are key determinants influencing children’s physical activity (PA). This study aims to systematically review the current research about the association between family socioeconomic indicators and PA among primary school-aged children and to quantify the distribution of reported associations by childs’ and parents’ sex and according to analysis and assessment methods.MethodsA systematic literature research in multiple scientific databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus and ERIC) was performed for literature published between 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2022. Only studies reporting statistical associations between an SES indicator of at least one parent (education, occupation, income, or an SES index) and different types and intensities of PA in primary school-aged children (6 to 12 years) were included in the analysis. The distributions of the reported associations were evaluated across and differentiated by sub-group analysis of assessment methods (objectively measured vs. self-reported PA) and analysis methods (univariate vs. multivariate models).ResultsOverall, 93 studies reported in 77 publications were included in this review. Most of the studies were conducted in Europe and used self-reports (questionnaires) to assess PA. Most studies used only a single SES indicator (commonly maternal education), and only two studies calculated an SES index. The majority of the studies focused on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total physical activity (TPA), and organized physical activity (OPA). Results showed predominantly positive associations between SES indicators and OPA. In contrast, results regarding different intensities of daily PA (TPA, LPA, MPA, MVPA, VPA, LTPA) were heterogeneous, with overwhelmingly no associations.ConclusionOverall, the results expand the knowledge about the association between family socioeconomic indicators and children’s PA and disprove the hypothesis of a clear positive association. However, large multicenter studies are lacking using a real SES index as a predictor and analyzing gender-specific multivariate models.

Достижение учащимися личностных результатов в ходе освоения программы начального общего образования по предмету «Русский язык»

The article considers the possibility of implementing the educational function of Russian language lessons. The ways of achieving the requirements set forth in the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary General Education of 2021 concerning the initial understanding of the diversity of languages and cultures in the territory of the Russian Federation, of language as one of the main spiritual and moral values of the people are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to students’ awareness of the importance of the Russian language as the state language of the Russian Federation, understanding its role as the language of interethnic communication. The conditions for achieving personal learning outcomes set forth in the Federal Work Program for the Subject “Russian Language” of 2023 are revealed. Various tasks are proposed that allow realizing the subject’s potential for spiritual, moral and civic-patriotic education of primary schoolchildren.

Подготовка дошкольников к изучению математики

Teaching mathematics to primary schoolchildren in the Russian Federation is based on the principles of continuity of educational stages. The article demonstrates the importance of preparing preschoolers to study mathematics, taking into account the current Federal State Educational Standard of Preschool Education, as well as the Federal State Educational Standard of Primary General Education and the Federal Working Program of Primary Education in this subject. Preschool education is focused on mastering elementary mathematical concepts and forming prerequisites for educational activities. Creating an educational environment in a preschool institution that stimulates play and cognitive activity will help children successfully master mathematical skills. The examples considered in the article show how teaching mathematics at preschool age affects the development of universal educational activities in elementary school.

Relative peripheral refraction in school children with different refractive errors using a novel multispectral refraction topographer.

To compare relative peripheral refraction (RPR) in Chinese school children with different refractive errors using multispectral refraction topography (MRT). A total of 713 eyes of primary school children [172 emmetropia (E), 429 low myopia (LM), 80 moderate myopia (MM), and 32 low hypermetropia (LH)] aged 10 to 13y were analyzed. RPRs were measured using MRT without mydriasis. MRT results showed RPR at 0-15° (RPR 0-15), 15°-30° (RPR 15-30), and 30°-45° (RPR 30-45) annular in the inferior (RPR-I), superior (RPR-S), nasal (RPR-N), and temporal (RPR-T) quadrants. Spherical equivalent (SE) was detected and calculated using an autorefractor. There were significant differences of RPR 15-30 between groups MM [0.02 (-0.12; 0.18)] and LH [-0.13 (-0.36; 0.12)] (P<0.05), MM and E [-0.06 (-0.20; 0.10)] (P<0.05), and LM [-0.02 (-0.15; 0.15)] and E (P<0.05). There were also significant differences of RPR 30-45 between groups MM [0.45 (0.18; 0.74)] and E [0.29 (-0.09; 0.67)] (P<0.05), and LM [0.44 (0.14; 0.76)] and E (P<0.001). RPR values increased from the hyperopic to medium myopic group in each annular. There were significant differences of RPR-S between groups MM [-0.02 (-0.60; 0.30)] and E [-0.44 (-0.89; -0.04)] (P<0.001), and LM [-0.28 (-0.71; 0.12)] and E (P<0.05). There were also significant differences of RPR-T between groups MM [0.37 (0.21; 0.78)] and LH [0.14 (-0.52; 0.50)] (P<0.05), LM [0.41 (0.06; 0.84)] and LH (P<0.05), and LM and E [0.29 (-0.10; 0.68), P<0.05]. A Spearman's correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between RPR and SE in the 15°-30° (P=0.005), 30°-45° (P<0.05) annular (P=0.002), superior (P<0.001), and temporal (P=0.001) quadrants. Without pupil dilation, values for RPR 15-30, 30-45, RPR-S, and T shows significant differences between myopic eyes and emmetropia, and the differences are negatively correlated with SE.

Prevalence of pediculosis among primary school children in Tunisia

Background: Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) infestation is a global health concern, yet no study has examined its occurrence among primary school children in Tunisia. Aim: To assess the prevalence of Pediculus capitis and its epidemiological characteristics among primary school children living in rural and urban areas of Monastir, Tunisia. Methods: We used 2-step stratified cluster sampling to randomly select 2396 children from 14 primary schools in Monastir during the 2022/2023 academic year. Head lice infestation was assessed through visual inspection of the hair, and data on the socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and pediculosis history of the children were collected. We used SPSS version 20 to analyse the data and used descriptive statistics to rate the frequencies. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between pediculosis and the predictor variables. Results: Overall infestation rate was 17.5% (95% CI 16.0–19.1%); infestation was 5 times higher among girls (29.1%) than boys (6.3%). Schoolchildren living in crowded family households, those in the third and fourth grades and whose parents had low education level were more exposed to infestation. Combing frequency, comb sharing and history of previous infestation had significant impact (P &lt; 0.05) on the prevalence of pediculosis. Multivariate logistic regression showed gender and treatment outcome as the main potentiating factors. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for pediculosis prevention and integrated health promotion programmes among primary school children and their parents, teachers and nurses in Monastir and other parts of Tunisia.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Iraq

Background: Pediculus humanus capitis (head lice) infestation is a global health concern, yet no study has examined its occurrence among primary school children in Tunisia. Aim: To assess the prevalence of Pediculus capitis and its epidemiological characteristics among primary school children living in rural and urban areas of Monastir, Tunisia. Methods: We used 2-step stratified cluster sampling to randomly select 2396 children from 14 primary schools in Monastir during the 2022/2023 academic year. Head lice infestation was assessed through visual inspection of the hair, and data on the socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and pediculosis history of the children were collected. We used SPSS version 20 to analyse the data and used descriptive statistics to rate the frequencies. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between pediculosis and the predictor variables. Results: Overall infestation rate was 17.5% (95% CI 16.0–19.1%); infestation was 5 times higher among girls (29.1%) than boys (6.3%). Schoolchildren living in crowded family households, those in the third and fourth grades and whose parents had low education level were more exposed to infestation. Combing frequency, comb sharing and history of previous infestation had significant impact (P &lt; 0.05) on the prevalence of pediculosis. Multivariate logistic regression showed gender and treatment outcome as the main potentiating factors. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for pediculosis prevention and integrated health promotion programmes among primary school children and their parents, teachers and nurses in Monastir and other parts of Tunisia.

Parental involvement in early literacy development: narratives from Indonesian low-income parents

ABSTRACT Set in the context of socioeconomically disadvantaged parents in Indonesia, this study sought to explore parents’ lived experiences of their involvement in supporting their children’s early literacy development and gain insight into the obstacles they faced in assisting their children’s early literacy practices. This study utilised a qualitative research design that was based on narrative inquiry. A total of 10 parents with primary school-age children in Indonesia were interviewed. The data were analysed thematically, employing a narrative methodology. Through in-depth analysis of the data, we were able to identify two distinct narratives. (1) A narrative of inequality highlighted mothers’ frustration with their partners’ low involvement and parents’ concern about schools. (2) A narrative of hope explored parents’ optimistic view of the enhanced communication between parents and teachers. In addition, despite the economic difficulties, they highly appreciated the participation of their extended family in assisting their children’s early literacy development.