Secondary School Completion Research Articles

Nível de escolaridade e seu impacto no curso de formação dos soldados do Batalhão de Infantaria-64

The new Strategic Plan for Air Force 100 is a broad process of restructuring of Aeronautical Command (COMAER). Among the areas of action, the refinement of human resources management is highlighted, with emphasis in the fields of recruitment, selection and training. Immersed in this triad, the aim of this study was to verify the influence of soldiers’ level of schooling during the recruitment stage on the degree of performance obtained at the end of the Soldiers Training Course (CFSd) of 2015 and 2016 teams of the 64 Infantry Battalion (BINFA-64). Directing the discussion, the Theory of Meaningful Learning (TAS) was chosen, which interprets the construction of the individual’s cognitive structure and emphasizes that knowledge preexisting in learners’ mental framework acts as an anchor of knowledge (Subsumption), serving as a support to formation of new knowledge. The Mapping of the research objective was established in two aspects. In the foreground, basing and validating the schooling level records of the 421 soldiers under study was sought at the time of the incorporation. It was verified that the military had complete elementary school degree (3%), incomplete secondary school degree (17%), complete secondary school degree (66%), complete secondary school degree (10%) and incomplete higher education degree (4%). Under another perspective, the research focused on recording the soldiers’ final performance score at the end of the course. School and performance data collected were statistically compared using the Pearson coefficient. The value of 0.85, tested by the coefficient, indicated a strong correlation among the variables. Associated with TAS precepts, from this result it was concluded that the highest performance scores corresponded to the highest school levels.

Transitioning to university in Botswana

Academic and social deficits, a nine-month secondary school-to-university learning loss, a readiness gap for university-level coursework, and limited cultural capital characterize the transition to university for Botswana’s secondary school completers seeking a STEM qualification. This study investigated internationally implemented developmental education interventions that STEM-offering public universities in Botswana may proactively implement to ease the transition and improve matriculant’s chances of success from their first year at university. Findings indicate that a Developmental Winter Bridge Program presents the best option for secondary school completers’ acclimatization, assimilation, and university success. Policy recognition of the Bridge Program as a pre-entry requirement for STEM undergraduate programs is recommended as the first step towards increasing confidence in the preparation of future-ready engineers and scientists.

The Geography of Intergenerational Mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper estimates intergenerational mobility in education, using data from 91 censuses in 24 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean spanning over half a century. It measures upward mobility as the likelihood that individuals will complete one educational stage more than their parents (primary education for those whose parents did not finish primary school, or secondary education for those whose parents did not complete secondary school). It measures downward mobility as the likelihood that an individual will fail to complete a level of education (primary or secondary) that their parents did attain. In addition, the paper explores the geography of educational intergenerational mobility using nearly 400 “provinces” and more than 6,000 “districts,” finding substantial cross-country and within-country heterogeneity. It documents a decline in the mobility gap between urban and rural populations with small differences by gender. It also finds that upward mobility is increasing, and downward mobility is decreasing over time. Within countries, the level of mobility correlates closely to the share of the preceding generation that completed primary school. In addition, upward mobility is negatively correlated with distance to the capital and the share of the workforce employed in agriculture but is positively correlated with the share of the workforce employed in industry. The opposite is true of downward mobility. JEL Classification Codes: D63; I24; J62

A Descriptive Analysis of Patients with Stoma Attending a Tertiary Hospital on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Background: Stoma surgery is common among patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorders as part of treatment to save their lives and minimise the impact of the disease. However, there is a paucity of knowledge of their data, particularly in our study setting. The aim of this study is to descriptively analyse the characteristics of ostomy patients receiving treatment at a tertiary hospital on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted among ostomy patients attending a teaching hospital from 2016 to February 2021. Their electronic health records were reviewed and analysed. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to present the data. Results: A total of 48 patients were included. Their median age was 62.5 (interquartile range [IQR] = 14) and the median duration of living with a stoma was 10.5 months (IQR = 10). Most of them were men (70.8%), Malays (91.7%), completed secondary school or above (73.3%), and married (84.8%). Patients with ileostomy was 60.4%, colostomy 37.5% and urostomy (2.1%). About 95.7% undergone for elective stoma surgery. The primary indication for stoma formation was rectal and colon cancer (71.7%) followed by intestinal obstruction (19.6%). Conclusion: In this study, stomas are predominantly observed among men, with ileostomy and colostomy being the most common types, primarily indicated for colorectal cancer. Further research is warranted to investigate the associated factors and impact of stoma formation on patients' daily life activities.

Before reaching the finish line: incompletion of the tenth grade of schooling in Nepal

ObjectiveIncompletion of the basic levels of education is known to adversely affect the social and economic well-being of individuals, as well as a nation’s prosperity. This paper analyzes the correlates of selected characteristics associated with the incompletion of 10th grade among students in Nepal.Data and methodsData on 2,812 youth in ages 18–24, extracted from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, are used to analyze the proportion of youth who did not complete the 10th grade. The variations by contextual, household, and individual characteristics are analyzed through descriptive and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong the age group of 18–24, the majority – 64% of males and 69% of females – did not complete secondary school. Household wealth showed a consistent and strong effect on incompletion. Overall, the household wealth variable accounted for much of the variation in the incompletion of the 10th grade across the country’s provinces. Additionally, being married is associated with a higher likelihood of incompletion of secondary school, net of the influence of other factors.ConclusionIn Nepal, a significant number of students do not complete the 10th grade of schooling. Sustained efforts, through targeted policies and interventions, are needed to ensure that students who begin secondary school do not leave before completing their education.

The long-term effects of cash transfer programmes on young adults' mental health: A quasi-experimental study of Colombia, Mexico and South Africa.

Poverty is associated with poorer mental health in early adulthood. Cash transfers (CTs) have been shown to improve child health and education outcomes, but it is unclear whether these effects may translate into better mental health outcomes as children reach young adulthood. Using a quasi-experimental approach that exploits variation across countries in the timing of national CT programme introduction, we examine whether longer exposure to CTs during childhood (0-17 years) reduces depressive symptoms in early adulthood (18-30 years). Based on harmonized data from Colombia, Mexico and South Africa (N= 14 431) we applied logistic regression models with country- and birth-cohort fixed effects to estimate the impact of cumulative years of CT exposure on mental health, educational attainment and employment outcomes. Our findings indicate that each additional year of CT exposure during childhood is associated with a 4% reduction in the odds of serious depressive symptoms in early adulthood (OR = 0.96, 95% CIs: 0.93 to 0.98). We find no consistent effect of years of exposure on completion of secondary school (OR = 1.01, 95% CIs: 0.99, 1.03), and a negative effect on the probability of employment in early adulthood (OR = 0.90, 95% CIs: 0.88, 0.91). These results suggest that longer exposure to CTs may contribute to modest but meaningful reductions in population level depressive symptoms during early adulthood.

Changes in the association between educational achievement, attainment and subsequent mental health: A survival analysis of 21 Swedish graduation cohorts

BackgroundLow academic achievement and low educational attainment in adolescence is associated with higher risks of internalizing disorders later in life. However, less is known regarding if these associations vary over time across cohorts. The aim of this study was to investigate temporal changes in the association between academic achievement or educational attainment and subsequent inpatient treatment for internalizing disorders among Swedish youths.MethodsRegister data on all students graduating from compulsory school in Sweden between 1990 and 2010 (N = 2 252 703) were used. Students were followed for a maximum of 8 years using discrete time proportional hazard models. Internalized disorders were measured by specialized inpatient psychiatric care for depression or anxiety disorders. Academic achievement was measured by grades at the end of compulsory school, and educational attainment by completion of upper secondary school.ResultsThe positive association between inpatient treatment for internalizing disorders and both low compulsory school achievement and non-completion of upper secondary school became stronger in more recent cohorts. The results were completely driven by girls and native-born youth.ConclusionsLow compulsory school achievements and failure to complete upper secondary school has become more important risk factors for inpatient treatment for internalizing disorders, particularly in native-born youth and girls. More research is needed to establish whether youth with internalizing disorders increasingly fail in school or whether low achievement has become more harmful for mental health.

Projecting the impact of COVID-19 on education and intergenerational mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa

AbstractUsing microsimulations, we project the effect of instructional losses caused by COVID-19 on secondary school completion rates and intergenerational mobility of education in eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. On average, secondary school completion rates could decrease by 12 percentage points overall and by 16 points for children with low-educated parents. Interestingly, in most countries the gender gap diminishes because, for men, the projected decrease in secondary school completion is higher. A small additional impact on girls’ education due to the potential rise in teenage pregnancy is observed in some countries. Intergenerational mobility of education in the eight Sub-Saharan countries in our sample is expected to decrease, on average, by 10%.

The Impact of Child Protection Service Experience and Secondary School Completion on Employment Outcomes

This study utilizes registry data and logistic regression to investigate the relationship between Child Protection Service (CPS) experience, completion of upper secondary school, and subsequent gainful employment. The findings show that completion of upper secondary school is associated with later gainful employment. However, when control variables are included to adjust for substantial differences between the two groups, the results reveal that completion of upper secondary school has a more substantial impact on future gainful employment for former CPS clients compared to non-CPS clients.

Life outcomes in adults living with FASD in a rural South African community: A follow-up study.

Even though adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are at risk of negative life outcomes, there is no published evidence of this in South Africa, which has the highest estimated FASD prevalence rate globally. The purpose of the study was to describe and compare the life outcomes of adults with FASD and adults without FASD in a South African rural community, 16 years after diagnosis. Participants were examined and interviewed regarding their biographical information, knowledge of FASD, information on their family, relationships, home circumstances, education, work and medical history. Adults with FASD were less likely to be in a relationship and more likely to have poor educational outcomes and to be exposed to violence as victim or perpetrator than their peers who did not have FASD. None of the participants with FASD completed secondary school successfully. No differences were found for independent living, employment, health, substance use and legal outcomes, between the foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or partial foetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS) and control group. While significant differences existed in certain aspects, differences are not as stark as one would expect between individuals with FASD and controls. This study highlights the importance of considering the social context in which a FASD diagnosis is made. The comparative negative impact of an FASD diagnosis and the associated challenges on life outcomes may be less pronounced in rural communities where everyone has fewer opportunities and resources. This can also make the unique needs of persons with disabilities less visible.

Assessing Africa's child survival gains and prospects for attaining SDG target on child mortality.

This study assessed Africa's child survival gains and prospects for attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 3.2. We analysed multiple country-level secondary datasets of 54 African countries and presented spatial analysis. Results showed that only 8 out of the 54 African countries have achieved substantial reductions in under-5 mortality with an under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 25 deaths per 1,000 live births or less. Many countries are far from achieving this target. Results of the predictions using supervised machine learning on the Bayesian network reveal that the probability of achieving the SDG target 3.2 (i.e., having U5MR of 25 deaths per 1000 live births or less) increases (from 21.6% to 100%) when the contraceptive prevalence increases from 49.8% to 78.5%; and the use of skilled birth attendants increases from 44.8% to 86.3%; and percentage of secondary school completion of female increases from 42.5 to 74.0%. Our results from Local indicator of spatial autocorrelation (LISA) cluster maps show that 7 countries (mainly in West/Central Africa) formed the high-high clusters (hotspots for U5M) and may not achieve the SDG target 3.2 unless urgent and appropriate investments are deployed. As 2030 approaches, there is a need to address the problem of limited access to quality health care, female illiteracy, limited access to safe water, and poor access to quality family planning services, particularly across many sub-Saharan African countries.

Can mothers' time preferences predict their children's educational outcomes?

AbstractThis paper studies parents' time preferences and adolescents' future educational outcomes. We combine time preference data on adolescents and mothers, measured in 1966 and 1968, with register data on education and labor outcomes up to 2015. Results show that children of patient mothers have higher grades, are more likely to be enrolled in academic elementary school tracks, and are more likely to attain post‐secondary education. However, the mother's time preferences are not significantly associated with the adolescent's choice of upper secondary school program or completion. The unique Swedish data also allow us to shed some light on potential mechanisms.

Global maternal mortality projections by urban/rural location and education level: a simulation-based analysis

Maternal mortality remains a challenge in global health, with well-known disparities across countries. However, less is known about disparities in maternal health by subgroups within countries. The aim of this study is to estimate maternal health indicators for subgroups of women within each country. In this simulation-based analysis, we used the empirically calibrated Global Maternal Health (GMatH) microsimulation model to estimate a range of maternal health indicators by subgroup (urban/rural location and level of education) for 200 countries/territories from 1990 to 2050. Education levels were defined as low (less than primary), middle (less than secondary), and high (completed secondary or higher). The model simulates the reproductive lifecycle of each woman, accounting for individual-level factors such as family planning preferences, biological factors (e.g., anemia), and history of maternal complications, and how these factors vary by subgroup. We also estimated the impact of scaling up women's education on projected maternal health outcomes compared to clinical and health system-focused interventions. We find large subgroup differences in maternal health outcomes, with an estimated global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in 2022 of 292 (95% UI 250-341) for rural women and 100 (95% UI 84-116) for urban women, and 536 (95% UI 450-594), 143 (95% UI 117-174), and 85 (95% UI 67-108) for low, middle, and high education levels, respectively. Ensuring all women complete secondary school is associated with a large impact on the projected global MMR in 2030 (97 [95% UI 76-120]) compared to current trends (167 [95% UI 142-188]), with especially large improvements in countries such as Afghanistan, Chad, Madagascar, Niger, and Yemen. Substantial subgroup disparities present a challenge for global maternal health and health equity. Outcomes are especially poor for rural women with low education, highlighting the need to ensure that policy interventions adequately address barriers to care in rural areas, and the importance of investing in social determinants of health, such as women's education, in addition to health system interventions to improve maternal health for all women. John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 10-97002-000-INP.

(267) IMPACT ON THE SEXUALITY OF COUPLES WITH INFERTILITY

Abstract Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) defines infertility as the inability to conceive a pregnancy after one year of regular vaginal intercourse without the use of contraceptive methods. It is a stress factor for those seeking parenthood. It affects between 10-15% of the world’s population. In bibliographic reviews, sexual dysfunctions as a cause of infertility are little investigated in both gender. Objective To analyze the sexual function of couples who consult the University Institute of Fertility and Human Reproduction for the first time and identify if couples have disorders in their sexual function that cause infertility. Methods People between 18 and 44 years old who consulted the Institute, who were heterosexual couples without fertility treatments in the last six months and in the last year had sought pregnancy in a traditional way, were studied. They were given the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (GRISS), self-administered to both, with 5 ratings (Never, Almost never, Occasionally, Usually, Always) and 9 different scales: infrequency, no communication, dissatisfaction, avoidance, no sensuality, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, vaginismus, anorgasmia. Results We studied 170 individuals, 85 couples. Age average: men 34.4 women 35.6. Educational level 55% completed secondary school. 21,18% had impotence, 32,94% premature eyaculation, 62,35% vaginismus, 1,18 anorgasmia. Female sexual dysfunction 61,18 and male sexual dysfunction 44,71%.Infrequency in sexual relations 30,5%. Couple sexual dysfunction with inability to conceive 33%. Conclusions The tendency for dyadic sexual dysfunction is high, at 33%, but the incidence of vaginismus is higher, which rises to more than 60%, identifying that many of the couples who consult for infertility have as their primary etiology a sexual dysfunction, which could be solved with sexual therapy if identified. It is of radical importance that professionals who work in infertility services or are related to women’s and men’s health give space and relevance to the sexual behavior of couples, guaranteeing sexual psycholearning, increasing the quality of life, trying to provide behaviors adapted to sexuality, and thus, avoid iatrogenesis and/or negligence at the time of conception. Disclosure No.

What I really want: Policy maker views on education in Southeast Asia

This paper reports the views and perceptions of randomly selected education policy makers in Southeast Asia, based on surveys of 651 senior public officials in 14 middle-income countries globally. The findings show that officials tend to prioritize increasing secondary school completion over improving learning quality, despite global evidence suggesting that improving learning quality is more crucial for economic growth. Additionally, the surveyed Southeast Asian officials severely underestimate learning poverty and do so at twice the rate of officials from other countries. Officials were most likely to cite system capacity as the primary constraint to improving learning. The findings show that officials’ support for gender equality and disability inclusion is high. Interviewed officials prefer to invest in in-service teacher training or early-grade reading compared to other options such as EdTech or inclusion for students with disabilities. This mix of alignment and misalignment between policy makers’ goals and the stated goals of development partners can inform future engagement in policy dialogue, analysis, and information campaigns.

Determinants of Financial Inclusion in Kenya: A Demand-Side Perspective

This study sought to analyze the underlying financial inclusion determinants in Kenya. The study applies ordinal logit regression to examine the effect of the residential area, gender, education level, marital status, and employment type on financial inclusion. Financial inclusion is measured by developing a financial inclusion index for ten binary financial services variables. From the index, three financial inclusion levels are designed. These include low financial inclusion with scores of zero to three, medium with scores of four to six, and high level with scores of seven to ten. The estimates of the ordinal model are statistically significant for all factors considered except gender. Area of residence, age, education type, income, and marital status positively affect the log odds of financial inclusion, while employment is negatively linked. Education, employment, and marital status have interaction effects on financial inclusion. This study recommends that the Kenyan government formulate and strengthen policies to tackle challenges such as gender disparity, rural bank infrastructure development, fostering an environment conducive for entrepreneurship to address unemployment and income disparities, advocating for secondary school completion, and addressing social issues impacting family stability, including separation or the absence of marriage.

Inability to start or complete upper secondary school strongly predicts unemployment and psychosocial and psychiatric adversities - A register-based follow-up study from southwestern Sweden.

To study academic, social and psychiatric outcomes among adults in the general population in southwestern Sweden. Groups of individuals born in 1998 and ineligible, eligible but not completed, and eligible and completed upper secondary school were followed in 2020. Data were retrieved from Statistics Sweden, the Swedish National Agency for Education, the Longitudinal Integrated Database for Health Insurance and Labour Market Studies, the Swedish National Crime Register and the National Patient Register. The four adverse outcomes neither engaging in post-secondary studies nor having a regular salary, needing social benefits, having any criminal conviction, and having a psychiatric disorder at age ≥16 were examined. Of the final sample of 2706 individuals who had attended 9th grade of compulsory school in 2014, 273 (10%) were ineligible for upper secondary school. Of eligible individuals, 82 (3%) never started, 282 (10%) did not complete and 2065 (77%) completed upper secondary school. Compared with completers, the odds ratios for adverse outcomes were markedly increased for all other groups up to 22 years old. Inability to start or complete upper secondary school strongly predicted unemployment and psychosocial and psychiatric adversities. School authorities should consider offering vocational programmes post compulsory school without grade restrictions.

Heterogeneous neighbourhood effects on the educational attainments of native Norwegian and immigrant-descendant female and male young adults

Using longitudinal register data from Oslo, Norway, this article examines how cumulative childhood exposure to family and neighbourhood contexts influences the educational attainments of young adults, paying special attention to how these determinants vary by gender and immigrant status. Specifically, we examine how neighbourhood socioeconomic and immigrant context experienced during childhood affects the completion of secondary school and university enrolment during young adulthood. We assess the extent of effect heterogeneity for three immigrant status groups stratified by gender. We control for geographical selection using a recently developed technique that first models parental selection of neighbourhood attributes and then uses the resulting predicted probabilities of selection as instruments in the neighbourhood-effects-on-education model. We find that neighbourhood affluence, educational levels and non-Western immigrant composition have important impacts on young adult educational outcomes, though results differ sharply by gender and immigrant status.

Food insecurity and sociodemographic factors in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To understand the association of food insecurity with sociodemographic factors in a sample population in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 10 countries in Latin America using an online survey through various digital platforms from October 14, 2020 to February 15, 2021. Statistical analysis of data was performed by applying descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Of a total of 6 357 surveys, 58.2% of respondents experienced food security, 29.3% were slightly food insecure, 9.2% were moderately food insecure, and 3.3% were severely food insecure. Concerning the association food insecurity and sociodemographic variables, there is a significant association in the variables studied, including area of residence, education level, occupation, number of persons in the household, household with children younger than 10 years of age, and socioeconomic level. These findings indicate that sociodemographic factors associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America were rural residence; complete and incomplete basic and secondary schooling; occupation (homemaker, unemployed, and self-employed); low, medium-low, and medium socioeconomic level; household with more than four persons; and household with children younger than 10 years of age.

School completion and progression to higher education in adolescents with social anxiety: a linkage between Young-HUNT3 and national educational data (2008-2019), Norway.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) most commonly develops in adolescence-a period of life that includes a transition to upper secondary school. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which social anxiety in adolescence is associated with the completion of upper secondary school and progression to higher education. This longitudinal study includes 8,192 adolescents aged 13-19 years who participated in the Norwegian Young-HUNT 3 population-based study. Social anxiety is measured employing (1) diagnostic interview screening questions (interview) and (2) a self-reported symptom index (questionnaire). Notably, we define the cohorts based on these two methods. Using national educational data (2008-2019), we follow educational attainment among the cohorts until they turn 25 years of age. We found that adolescents who screened positive (SP) for SAD had a predicted probability of upper secondary school completion at 21 years of age that was 14% points lower than those who screened negative (SN). Further, differences remained when looking at completion rates at age 25 years. Moreover, predicted probabilities for completion were inversely associated with increasing levels of self-reported social anxiety symptoms. Similarly, the proportion of the completers of an academic program in the SP group that were enrolled in higher education by 25 years of age, were lower than for the SN group (87 vs. 92%). Social anxiety in adolescence, both self-reported symptoms and diagnostic screening, has long-term negative impact on upper secondary school completion and to some extent enrollment to higher education.