School Absenteeism In Children Research Articles

P374 Effect of CFTR-modulators on cystic fibrosis related school absenteeism in children attending primary school

P374 Effect of CFTR-modulators on cystic fibrosis related school absenteeism in children attending primary school

School Absenteeism In Children And Factors Associated With School Absenteeism

School Absenteeism In Children And Factors Associated With School Absenteeism

Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination against school absenteeism in children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19

BackgroundCOVID-19 vaccination has been recommended for children to protect them and to enable in-person educational and social activities. MethodsWe estimated COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness (VE) against school absenteeism in children 5–17 years old hospitalized from September 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023. Full vaccination was defined as two vaccine doses. ResultsWe studied 231 children admitted to hospital with COVID-19, including 206 (89.2 %) unvaccinated/partially vaccinated and 25 (10.8 %) fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated/partially vaccinated children were absent from school for longer periods compared to fully vaccinated children (median absence: 14 versus 10 days; p-value = 0.05). Multivariable regression showed that full COVID-19 vaccination was associated with fewer days of absence compared to no/partial vaccination on average (adjusted relative risk: 0.77; 95 % CI: 0.61 to 0.98). COVID-19 VE was 50.7 % (95 % CI: −11.3 % to 78.2 %) for school absenteeism above the median duration of absenteeism. ConclusionsFull COVID-19 vaccination conferred protection against school absenteeism in hospitalized school-aged children with COVID-19.

School absenteeism in children with special health care needs. Results from the prospective cohort study ikidS.

Children with special health care needs (SHCN) due to a chronic health condition perform more poorly at school compared to their classmates. There is still little knowledge on the causal pathways and which factors could be targeted by interventions. We, therefore, investigated school absenteeism in children with SHCN compared to their peers. This study was based on data from the German population-based prospective cohort study ikidS (German for: I will start school). Children with SHCN were identified by the Children with Special Health Care Needs screener that captures five consequences of physical or mental chronic health conditions: (1) use or need of prescription medication, (2) above average use or need of medical, mental health, or educational services, (3) functional limitations compared with others of the same age, (4) use or need of specialized therapies, and (5) treatment or counseling for emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems. School absenteeism was defined as days absent from school due to illness during first grade and was reported by classroom teachers. Associations between SHCN consequences and school absenteeism were investigated by negative binomial regression models. Effect estimates were adjusted for confounding variables identified by a causal framework and directed acyclic graphs. 1,921 children (mean age at follow-up 7.3 years, standard deviation 0.3; 49% females) were included; of these, 14% had SHCN. Compared to their classmates, children with SHCN had more days absent (adjusted rate ratio: 1.37; 95% confidence interval 1.16, 1.62). The effect was strongest among children with i) functional limitations, ii) treatment or counseling for emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems, and iii) those who experienced two or more SHCN consequences. Children with SHCN have higher school absenteeism, which could-at least partly-explain their poorer school performance and lower educational attainment. SHCN-specific targeted interventions may reduce the adverse effects of SHCN on educational outcomes in children.

Patient- and caregiver-reported factors associated with school absenteeism in children with chronic kidney disease.

BackgroundChildren with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for neurocognitive deficits while simultaneously being at risk for chronic school absenteeism (≥ 18 school days per school year). Chronic school absenteeism compounds the negative impacts of CKD on academic achievement. In this study, we examined patient- and caregiver-reported factors associated with school absenteeism in children with non-dialysis- or transplant-dependent CKD in order to help identify which factors could be modifiable and ultimately improve school attendance.MethodsWe utilized a combination of chart review and questionnaires distributed in person to patients and caregivers at a pediatric nephrology clinic between November 2018 and August 2019 to gather data. We used descriptive statistics to illustrate clinical characteristics of the children included in the study, caregiver characteristics, and examined reported reasons for missing school.ResultsTwenty-one percent of participants (10/48) missed 18 full days of school or more, categorizing them as chronically absent. The top three reasons for missing school were doctor appointments, feeling sick, and being bullied. More specific sequelae of CKD were not highly reported as reasons for missing school.ConclusionsChronic absenteeism is a highly reported phenomenon among children with pediatric CKD. Given that missing school for doctor appointments was a top reason for absenteeism, this data suggests alternative appointment hours and virtual appointments may reduce chronic school absenteeism in children, and by extension improve their health, behavioral, and academic outcomes.Graphical abstract A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary informationSupplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00467-022-05780-2.

EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION ON SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

TYPE: Late Breaking Abstract TOPIC: Allergy and Airway PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the effect of a family empowerment intervention on school absenteeism in children with asthma. METHODS: A monocentric study using a randomized controlled design was conducted in the pediatric outpatient clinic of Farhat Hached University Hospital from May 2018 to September 2019. Eighty-two families were randomly assigned in the intervention group (n=41) of eight weeks of group training sessions or to a control group (n=41) of usual care education. Thirty-seven families in the intervention group and 39 families in the control group received allocated intervention at baseline. Thirty-four families in each group completed the study at the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no significant difference between the intervention and the control group in term of sociodemographic data. The results showed that the number of children who had missed school days was reduced at follow-up in the intervention and the control group with a significant difference within time (p= 10⁻³; p=10⁻³, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between groups at baseline and follow-up (p=0.7; p=0.3, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that family empowerment education with group discussion sessions and feedback can reduce missed school days in children aged 7 to 17 years with mild to moderate asthma. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study suggested that family empowerment education with group discussion sessions and feedback can reduce missed school days in children aged 7 to 17 years with mild to moderate asthma. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships. KEYWORD: Asthma

Exploring the Effects of Full-Day Kindergarten on School Absenteeism for Children With Disabilities: Evidence From State Policy Mandates in the United States

Student absenteeism is a barrier to learning and an issue that requires policy intervention. Students with disabilities are of particular concern, as they miss school more often than students in any other demographic group. Affecting a key attribute of school structures, policies promoting full-day kindergarten began as an effort to improve opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, but no studies have provided causal evidence as to whether full-day kindergarten enrollment relates to school attendance. No studies have examined whether effects exist for students with disabilities in the long term. Using a nationally representative sample of children with disabilities in the United States ( N = 2,120), we employed an instrumental-variable strategy that capitalized on state-level policy shifts of full-day kindergarten offerings as an exogenous source of variation. We found that full-day kindergarten structures related to a sharp increase in absenteeism for children with disabilities in kindergarten and first and second grades. We found no relationship to absenteeism for these children in later years of primary schooling. We discuss policy implications of these findings.

Mental health and school absenteeism in children with long-term physical conditions: A secondary analysis of the British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys 2004 and 2007.

Children and young people (CYP) with long-term physical conditions (LTCs) are more likely to have poorer mental health and more school absenteeism compared with CYP with no LTCs. However, there is limited longitudinal research, and the extent to which these difficulties persist in CYP with LTCs is unknown. Furthermore, little is known about the relative impact of different types of LTC on mental health and absenteeism. We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of different LTCs with mental health and school absenteeism in a large (N=7977) nationally representative survey of CYP in Great Britain and its 3-year follow-up. Psychopathology was assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder using the Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA). Days absent and persistent absence (missing 10% or more of school days) were reported by parents. Compared with those with no LTCs, CYP with any LTC had higher SDQ total difficulties scores at baseline (adjusted mean difference 1.4, 1.1-1.6) and follow-up (1.1, 0.8-1.4) and were more likely to have a psychiatric disorder at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.59, 1.34-1.89) and follow-up (1.75, 1.44-2.12). Children with any LTC also missed more days of school at baseline (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.47, 1.31-1.64) and follow-up (1.17, 1.00-1.36) and were more likely to be persistently absent (aOR baseline 1.78, 1.48-2.14; follow-up 1.27, 1.00-1.61). Neurodevelopmental disorders, migraines and atopic conditions were particularly strongly associated with both mental health and absenteeism. Children with LTCs had poorer mental health and more school absence than those with no LTCs. Clinicians should routinely enquire about mental health and school attendance in CYP with LTCs and should collaborate with families and schools to ensure these children are provided with sufficient mental health and educational support.

Association of pediatric atopic dermatitis and psoriasis with school absenteeism and parental work absenteeism: A cross-sectional United States population-based study

The impact of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis on school absenteeism is not fully elucidated. To determine the burden and predictors of chronic school absenteeism in children with AD and psoriasis. Data were analyzed from the 1999-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, cross-sectional, population-based studies of health status and function in the United States. Among 3132 and 200 children with AD and psoriasis, respectively, 1544 (67.7%) and 97 (62.5%) missed ≥1day, and 120 (3.9%) and 5 (3.6%) missed ≥15days (chronically absent) per year due to illness. AD was associated with chronic absenteeism overall (logistic regression; adjusted odds ratio 1.42, 95% CI [1.13-1.78]) and with more severe disease (mild-moderate: 1.33 [1.04-1.70], severe: 2.00 [1.21-3.32]). No statistical difference in chronic absenteeism was found for children with versus those without psoriasis (1.26 [0.51-3.12]). Parents of children with AD were more likely to miss work for caregiving versus those of children without AD, whereas parents of children with psoriasis had similar rates of work absenteeism versus those of children without psoriasis. The severity of AD and psoriasis was assessed by treatment pattern. Children in the United States with AD had increased chronic school absenteeism. Further interventions are warranted to prevent school absenteeism in childhood AD.

Pre- and postoperative quality of life and emotional/behavioural problems in children with PFAPA

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of surgical intervention on quality of life, emotional/behavioural problems and school absenteeism in children with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA.) MethodA total of 56 children aged between 4 and 12 years, diagnosed with PFAPA and undergoing tonsillectomy with/without adenoidectomy at a tertiary hospital were included in the study. The Questionnaire for Quality of Life Assessment for Children and Adolescents Parent Form (Kid-KINDL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) were used to evaluate quality of life and emotional/behavioural problems, respectively. The cases were assessed before and three months after surgery. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the children was 6.64 (3.03) years, and 58.9% (n = 33) were boys. The numbers of pre- and post-operative periodic fever episodes were 3.0 (1.7) and 0.6 (0.9) (p < 0.001), those for school absenteeism were 10.28 (5.53) and 2.85 (2.95) days (p < 0.001) and those for hospital presentations were 3.8 (2.5) and 1.1 (1.1) (p < 0.001), respectively, all of which were significantly lower in children with PFAPA at three months after the operation. The surgical procedures were effective in improving quality of life and emotional/behavioural problems, as evidenced by the significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment scores in outcome measures, including SDQ and Kid-KINDL (p < 0.001). ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the surgical approach exhibited positive effects in terms of improving quality of life and reducing emotional/behavioural problems and school absenteeism in children with PFAPA.

School-Based Telemedicine for Asthma Management

Asthma affects 10% of school-age children in the United States. These numbers nearly double in high-risk populations such as low-income and minority populations. Patients in these populations frequently live in communities that are medically underserved, with limited resources to implement comprehensive asthma interventions. It is important for researchers and clinicians to explore avenues to reduce the burden of illness in this population. Incorporating innovative strategies such as school-based telemedicine programs can potentially reduce morbidity, health care utilization, work absenteeism for caregivers, and school absenteeism for children with asthma. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential benefits of school-based asthma telemedicine programs, explore potential implementation models, and provide a comprehensive review of the literature including programs that use telemedicine in schools to assist with the management of asthma. Telemedicine is a feasible approach to increasing access to primary and specialty asthma care; however, there is a need for future randomized trials to establish best practices for implementation of telemedicine programs to aid in the care for children in school settings.

School Absenteeism in Children with Physical Disabilities：Three Cases Studies

特別支援学校または学級に所属する肢体不自由の児童・生徒は3万6,000人以上に上るが，このうち不登校の児童・生徒の正確な統計は明らかではない．肢体不自由児の中には知的・発達・認知などの障害を合併することも多く，合併障害が不登校の原因となっていることも少なくない．しかし，他者によって移送されることの多い肢体不自由児にあっては，とにかく登校はしてくる（あるいはさせられる）ことも多い．本稿では，学校を含めた「通い続けることが望まれる機会や場（作業所）」への参加を拒否した中学生から成人の3事例（外傷後脊髄損傷，脳性麻痺）について検討した．その結果，本人の発達段階に応じた個別的対応を要すると考えられた．

Early Childhood Educational Settings and School Absenteeism for Children With Disabilities

Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011 were used to examine the implications of preschool and full-day kindergarten enrollment for the subsequent school absences of 2,056 children with disabilities. Results suggest that children with disabilities who went to preschool were absent less frequently in kindergarten, but these benefits did not persist through the end of first grade. Conversely, children with disabilities who attended full-day kindergarten programs were absent more frequently during the kindergarten year as compared with children in part-day programs, but these children experienced a sharper drop in absenteeism throughout the following school year resulting in no differences in school absences in first grade. No multiplicative benefits emerged for attending both preschool and full-day kindergarten. And even though these aforementioned benefits of preschool diminished rapidly, there were lingering academic benefits through the end of first grade because of improvements in earlier school attendance.

Impact of home remediation and household education on indoor air quality, respiratory visits and symptoms in Alaska Native children

ABSTRACTAlaska Native children experience high rates of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and lung conditions, which are associated with substandard indoor air quality (IAQ). We conducted an intervention of home remediation and education to assess the impact on IAQ, respiratory symptoms and LRTI visits. We enrolled households of children 1–12 years of age with lung conditions. Home remediation included improving ventilation and replacing leaky woodstoves. We provided education about IAQ and respiratory health. We monitored indoor airborne particles (PM2.5), CO2, relative humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and interviewed caregivers about children’s symptoms before, and for 1 year after intervention. We evaluated the association between children’s respiratory visits, symptoms and IAQ indicators using multiple logistic regression. A total of 60 of 63 homes completed the study. VOCs decreased (coefficient = −0.20; p < 0.001); however, PM2.5 (coeff. = −0.010; p = 0.89) did not decrease. Burning wood for heat, VOCs and PM2.5 were associated with respiratory symptoms. After remediation, parents reported decreases in runny nose, cough between colds, wet cough, wheezing with colds, wheezing between colds and school absences. Children had an age-adjusted decrease in LRTI visits (coefficient = −0.33; p = 0.028). Home remediation and education reduced respiratory symptoms, LRTI visits and school absenteeism in children with lung conditions.

Quality of Life and School Absenteeism in Children With Chronic Illness.

Children and adolescents with a chronic illness (CI) tend to demonstrate diminished physical and social functioning, which contribute to school attendance issues. We investigated the role of social and physical functioning in reducing school absenteeism in children participating in Mastering Each New Direction (MEND), a family-based psychosocial intervention for youths with CI. Forty-eight children and adolescents with a CI (70.8% female, M age = 14.922, SD = 2.143) and their parent(s) completed a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure pre- and postintervention. Using multiple mediation, we examined whether parent- and child-rated physical and social HRQOL mediated the relationship between school attendance before and after MEND. Once the mediational model was not supported, we investigated whether HRQOL moderated the relationship between missed school days pre- and postintervention. Neither physical nor social functioning mediated or moderated the relationship between missed school days pre- and postintervention. Instead, higher parent-rated physical functioning directly predicted decreased number of missed school days, while lower parent-rated social and child-rated physical functioning predicted increased missed school days. Parent-perceived HRQOL may have a direct effect on health-related behaviors such as school attendance. Future research should determine whether gains in parent-rated QOL are maintained in the long term and whether these continue to impact markers of functional well-being.

A Study to Determine the Level of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the Cause, Treatment, Prevention and Control of ILI Infections

ILI infections are infections of the human respiratory tract. They are caused by various viruses including corona viruses, adeno-viruses, influenza virus types A, B and C, among others (CDC- US, 2005). When these infections are circulating within the community, patients with ILI infections who have both cough and fever within 48 hours of symptom onset are likely to have influenza(A or B) infections [1]. In Kenya, these infections cause significant morbidity leading to a lot of lost time of productive work and school absenteeism for children. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on the cause, treatment, prevention and control of ILI infections can help in the early diagnosis, appropriate management and preventions of these infections.

Coal power plant emission exposure and its effect on education access

Aim We investigate the effects of exposure to coal power plant emissions on school absenteeism for children with asthma, a leading cause of health-related barriers to education.

School-Located Influenza Vaccination and Absenteeism Among Elementary School Students in a Hispanic Community

Seasonal influenza is recognized as a significant health burden to children and is a cause of excess school absenteeism in children. In 2008, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended annual influenza vaccination for all children 6 months to 18 years of age. School nurses influence participation in this recommendation by conducting school-located influenza vaccination (SLIV) programs at their campuses. Knowing the effect of SLIV programs on student absenteeism may motivate school nurses and district administrators to conduct such vaccination programs. This study examines the impact of an SLIV program on elementary school absenteeism in an inner city school district with a predominantly Hispanic population. Using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, we analyzed data from 3,775 records obtained by stratified random sampling. Results of the study indicate that students vaccinated through an SLIV program have fewer absences than unvaccinated students. A surprising result of the study shows that students vaccinated through an SLIV program had fewer absences than students vaccinated elsewhere. These results are of particular importance to school nurses who work with large Hispanic populations. Our study illustrates one way that a school nurse can assess the effect of an SLIV program on absenteeism.

Association between increased BMI and severe school absenteeism among US children and adolescents: findings from a national survey, 2005–2008

School absenteeism may be an underlying cause of poor school performance among overweight and obese children. We examined the associations between school absenteeism and body mass index (BMI) in a nationally representative sample. We analyzed the data of 1387 children (6-11 years) and 2185 adolescents (12-18 years), who completed an interview and anthropometric measurement as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008. The CDC 2000 growth chart was used to categorize BMI status, and the number of school days missed during the past 12 months was assessed by asking the proxies or interviewees. The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 18.96±1.44% (s.e.) and 16.41±0.78%, respectively, among study populations. The means of school days missed in the last 12 months were not statistically different between the normal-weight, overweight and obese groups, 3.79±0.56, 3.86±0.38 and 4.31±0.01 days, respectively. However, when >2 days missed per school month was defined as severe absence, the prevalence of severe absence were 1.57%, 2.99% and 4.94% respectively, among 6-11-year-old children with normal, overweight and obese. The adjusted odds of severe school absence were 2.27 (95% confidence interval=0.64-8.03) and 3.93 (1.55-9.95), respectively, among overweight and obese children compared with normal-weight peers (P for trend test <0.01). No significant association was found among adolescents. Increased body weight is independently associated with severe school absenteeism in children but not adolescents. Future research is needed to determine the nature, and academic and social significance of this association.

Intestinal Protozoan Infections in Relation to Nutritional Status and Gastrointestinal Morbidity in Colombian School Children

While Giardia duodenalis infection has been consistently associated with nutrient malabsorption and stunting in children, the effects of other protozoans on nutritional status or gastrointestinal morbidity are less clear. We sought to determine whether infection with common intestinal protozoans including Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba coli and Blastocystis hominis was associated with anthropometric and micronutrient status, gastrointestinal symptoms, visits to the doctor or school absenteeism in children 5-12 years of age from Bogotá, Colombia. We obtained stool samples from 442 children enrolled in primary schools in 2006 and examined the presence of intestinal protozoans in relation to height, body mass index, plasma concentrations of vitamins A and B12, ferritin and zinc and erythrocyte folate. In addition, we examined the associations between protozoan infections and the incidence of common gastrointestinal symptoms, which were registered prospectively in morbidity diaries. The prevalence rates of G. duodenalis, E. coli and B. hominis infection were 6.3, 23.1 and 22.4%, respectively. Giardia infection was associated with lower height-for-age z-score (p = 0.04), whereas E. coli infection was associated with low erythrocyte folate (p = 0.04), and B. hominis infection was related to higher vitamin A levels (p = 0.05). Infection with E. coli was also associated with a significantly higher incidence of fever but fewer visits to the doctor, while B. hominis infection was associated with significantly less diarrhea, diarrhea with vomiting, doctor visits and school absenteeism. In conclusion, G. duodenalis and E. coli infections were associated with indicators of poor nutritional status in this population, while B. hominis was related to apparently decreased morbidity.