School Mothers Research Articles

The effects of mother's schooling on next generation’s schooling: evidence from Bangladesh

PurposeThis paper aims to find the effects of mothers’ schooling on child schooling.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses Bangladesh's Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), which is a nationally representative survey. It employs the instrumental variable technique to estimate the intergenerational model.FindingsInterestingly, the results show that the intergenerational transmission of schooling from mothers is slightly higher than that of fathers in Bangladesh.Research limitations/implicationsEstimating the intergenerational model is challenging due to the endogeneity issue. The methodology used in this paper may help to find similar evidence from other countries.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study may help to design and evaluate the educational policies in Bangladesh or a country like Bangladesh. For instance, the results of this paper suggest that the female stipend program (FSP) in Bangladesh is effective for the next generation’s schooling.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to analyze the effect of mother’s schooling on the child’s schooling, controlling the father’s education and other household characteristics. In addition, it controls for endogeneity bias due to genetic transmission.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0491

Socioeconomic Disparities for Early Childhood Anthropometrics and Vocabulary and Socio-emotional Skills: Dynamic Evidence from Chilean Longitudinal Data

This paper investigates the impact of socioeconomic (SES) disparities on anthropometrics, receptive vocabulary skills, and socio-emotional skills in Chilean children 31–83 months old (n = 7744). Longitudinal data allow for the estimation of dynamic models of child growth and skill formation while adjusting for mother's schooling and cognitive ability. The results show small length differences at birth with the better-off being shorter, but these differences are reversed during the first 10 months of life, at which age SES disparities in height-for-age z scores (HAZ) favored the better-off. Disparities in receptive vocabulary skills found at 30 months continue until the child is at least 6 years old. For socio-emotional skills, we found SES disparities before 72 months, but not after. Our results indicate that—even after controlling for factors that are not usually considered in the literature, such as mother's cognitive ability and lagged skills—SES remains significantly associated with child development outcomes within a dynamic context.

Implementation of Mother's School to Prevent Stunting "Secanting" among Mothers in Bange Village, Sanggau Ledo District

Background: Mothers have a relatively low level of education, lack of knowledge and understanding about the importance of care during pregnancy to maintain the health of the mother and baby and nutritional needs during pregnancy and for the baby/child, failure to provide exclusive breastfeeding, early marriage, and early pregnancy due to unwanted pregnancies, pregnancies that are too close together, anemia in pregnant women are thought to be triggers for stunting. The Secanting program and health education for teenagers is an alternative action to help minimize the incidence of stunting. Objective: Increase knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of pregnant women and teenagers to prevent stunting by optimizing community empowerment for independence in health. Method: The mapping intervention approach in community-based implementation in program development is packaged in the form of maternal schools to prevent stunting abbreviated as "Secanting" and school-based sexual health education activities for teenagers in high school. Results: Before being given the Secanting program, pregnant women had an average knowledge score of 69.09±11.36, and after being given an average knowledge score of 86.36±8.09. There is a difference in the average score, amounting to 17.27 ± 13.48. The results of observations made regarding the skills of pregnant women in selecting, processing nutritious food ingredients, preparing menus, and serving, showed that before participating in the program, pregnant women had skills with an average score of 58.18 ± 7.5 and after being given the average score skills 81.81±7.5. There is a difference in the average score, amounting to 23.64 ± 8.08. There is an increase in knowledge and skills in pregnant women after being given the Secanting program. The program for adolescents shows that, before being given health education, adolescents know with an average score of 78.67 ± 4.24, and after being given an average knowledge score of 98.44 ± 11.40. There is a difference in the average score, amounting to 19.77 ± 10.33. There is an increase in knowledge in adolescents after being given health education. Conclusion: The Secanting program has proven effective in increasing knowledge in pregnant women and health education has proven effective in increasing knowledge in adolescents.

Stresses of Mother with School-Aged Children during COVID—19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought various changes to people's lives as well as created stressors in various aspects of life. The mothers with school-aged children could feel quite heavy stress, because at that age the child already has his own desires but does not yet have the autonomy so that the mother must exercise a tight control. This study aims to determine the description of stress in mothers with school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research design used was quantitative research with analytical descriptive method. The sampling method was probability sampling with cluster sampling. After analysing the data, the results showed that the general stress variable for mothers was classified as mild with a mean of 0.83 and a standard deviation of 0.77, with a minimum and maximum value of 0 and 5. Meanwhile, specific stress was classified as high, with a mean of 3.95 with a standard deviation. 0.72, and a minimum-maximum value of 1-5. Further analysis showed that the specific stress which appears on mothers is mostly caused by economic difficulties (30.3%) and accompanying children during online school (41.8%). This study is expected to provide an overview for nurses about the stress experienced by school-age mothers and their risk factors.

Factors associated with the survival of primary maxillary anterior teeth after intrusive luxation: a retrospective longitudinal study.

To evaluate the survival rate of primary maxillary anterior teeth following intrusive luxation and identify associated factors. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted at a primary dental trauma centre using 88 dental records of children with intrusive luxation between 2007 and 2018. The variables of interest were time the tooth remained in the alveolus, degree of intrusion, accentuated overjet, lip protection, visible plaque, compromised germ of the permanent successor, clinical signs of infectious and inflammatory processes, endodontic treatment, pulp canal obliteration, sex, age at the time of trauma, family income, mother's schooling, and immediate care. Descriptive, bivariate, and Cox regression analyses were performed (p < 0.05; 95% CI). The 88 dental records of children with intrusive luxation included 128 teeth. Survival rate throughout the follow-up period was 65.6% (n = 84). Age older than three years and eight months (HR 2.28; 95% CI 1.04-4.99; p = 0.039), the development of an infectious process (HR 3.51; 95% CI 1.39-8.86; p = 0.008), development of an inflammatory process (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.17-4.71; p = 0.016) and compromised germ of the permanent successor (HR 4.38; 95% CI 1.99-9.61; p < 0.001) were associated with a lower survival rate of intruded primary maxillary anterior teeth. The survival rate during the follow-up period of intruded primary maxillary anterior teeth was considered high. A significantly lower survival rate was associated with age, the occurrence of an infectious process and inflammatory process, and the compromised germ of the permanent successor.

Structuring of the effects of oral health literacy on dental caries in 12-year-old adolescents.

To explore the pathways by which oral health literacy is associated with dental caries in adolescents, assessing direct and indirect effects of family cohesion and socioeconomic status. A population-based, representative cross-sectional study was conducted with 740 12-year-old adolescents in Campina Grande, Brazil. Parents/guardians answered a sociodemographic questionnaire. Adolescents answered validated questionnaires addressing family cohesion and oral health literacy. Dental caries was diagnosed using Nyvad criteria. Two dentists underwent training exercises for the diagnosis and administration of the questionnaires (k > 0.80). Descriptive analysis was followed by the use of structural equation modelling to determine direct and indirect associations between the variables incorporated into the theoretical model of the study (95% CI). Oral health literacy (standardized coefficient: -3.472, p < .01) and mother's schooling (standardized coefficient: -0.405, p < .01) were directly associated with dental caries, whereas family cohesion and socioeconomic status exerted an indirect effect on the occurrence of dental caries in the adolescents. Sociodemographic factors, family characteristics and oral health literary are associated with dental caries in 12-year-old adolescents.

Mandatory Schooling of Girls Improved Their Children's Health: Evidence from Turkey's 1997 Education Reform

AbstractThis study examines the impact of mandatory maternal education on child health in Turkey, where a non‐trivial fraction of families restricted their daughters’ schooling due to social and cultural barriers. The analysis employs two large data sets and exploits a quasi‐experiment involving an education reform that increased compulsory schooling. Results show that an increase in mother's schooling improves child health at birth (as measured by factors such as low birth weight and premature birth) and lowers child mortality. The current study on the intergenerational benefits of compulsory schooling arguably provides the strongest evidence supporting the argument that mandatory female education has substantial nonpecuniary benefits in terms of the health of the offspring in societies where female education is stigmatized. The implications of this research extend beyond girls’ schooling and suggest that compulsory human capital investments in children can correct market failures when families underinvest in their children because of social or cultural barriers.

Risk Factors and Outcome of Acute Poisoning in Childrens

Objective: To determine the risk factors and outcome of acute poisoning in children at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi.&#x0D; Study design: Cross sectional study&#x0D; Place and duration of study: Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. From January 2019 to January 2021&#x0D; Methodology: The patients (n=136) were selected of either gender with the precise age group of twelve years. All the patients selected were meeting the inclusion criteria and enrolled with a history of poisoning exposure within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital's emergency department. The name of the toxin, the time since ingestion of the toxic substance, factors prompting coincidental harming like age, ill-advised capacity of hurtful specialists, for example, lamp oil and blanch in soda bottles, simple access of kids to meds utilized by different individuals from the family, mother's schooling, working moms, financial status were completely assembled from the guardians or orderlies as referenced in the Performa. In general, people were poisoned primarily from within their own homes. Non-accidental poisoning cases were omitted. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data.&#x0D; Results: Out of 136 patient enrolled in this study mean age was 5.2+2.9 years, 77(56.6%) were male and 59(43.4%) were female and mean time of presentation was 2.3+1.7 hours. Most common risk factor was unsafe storage of chemicals (n=98) (72.1%), followed by education level of mother (n=)65 (47.8%), inadequate supervision of child (n=60) (44.1%), non authorative parenting (n=51) (37.5%), working mothers (n=41) (30.1%), lack of family support (n=30) (22.1%), developmental delay (n=11) (8.1%) and poisonous plant in home garden (n=6) (4.4%). Outcome mainly depends upon type of poisoning and time interval between poisoning and presentation to the hospital, 26 (19.11%) were discharged safely from ER, while 45 (33.08%) admit in wards and 48 (35.29%) were admitted in Intensive Care and 17 (12.5%) were expired in ER.&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study we have concluded that number of accidental poisoning are often occur in toddler and school going children. The major risk factor of acute poisoning found was unsafe storage or easy accessibility of house hold chemicals, second one was low level of education of parents, than non-authorative parenting, and working mothers and lack of family support. The outcome mainly depend upon time interval from ingestion of poison to presentation at hospital and type poisonous agent taken, that can lead to the need of specialized care, prolong hospital stay and sometimes results in death of a child.

Factors associated with awake bruxism according to perceptions of parents/guardians and self-reports of children.

Bruxism is a repetitive activity of the masticatory muscles that has been associated with orofacial disorders and psychosocial factors AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between possible awake bruxism (PAB) and family functioning, bullying, and dental caries in children 8-10years of age. A school-based study was conducted with 739 pairs of parents/guardians and children. The parents/guardians answered the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales for the establishment of family functioning. Information on bullying due to dental conditions was collected from the children. Dental caries in the children was evaluated using International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria. A directed acyclic graph was used to define the theoretical model and select control factors. Descriptive analysis was performed, followed by multivariate logistic regression for complex samples. Considering the parental reports, fewer years of mother's schooling, a low family income, very flexible family adaptability, and cavitated dental caries were associated with PAB. The female sex, bullying, and orofacial dysfunction were associated with self-reported PAB. Therefore, the factors associated with PAB differ according to the reports of parents/guardians or self-reports of children. Healthcare providers should consider both reports for a more effective intervention addressing PAB.

Development of language and arithmetic skills: risk and protective factors. Comparative cross-sectional study.

In a literate society, linguistic/arithmetic performance is highly valued. Based on defined risk factors, strategies for promotion of better performance can be developed. To ascertain the risk and protective factors relating to development of language and arithmetic. Observational comparative cross-sectional study at a public elementary school in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil. A total of 66 children (41% females) attending first to fifth grades participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: G1, children classified as presenting language or arithmetic deficits; G2, average performance. Language (oral and written) and arithmetic skills were assessed through standardized tests. Variables relating to social skills, home environment resources and behavioral problems were assessed through standardized scales. Data on other variables (pre, peri and postnatal complications, maternal variables and others) were collected through interviews. The logistic regression technique with LASSO was used (α = 0.05). Teenage pregnancy and consumption of psychoactive substances during pregnancy or complications during pregnancy were risk factors for performance regarding arithmetic and language. Higher schooling level for the mother was a protective factor in the development of arithmetic and language. Being female and having a history of otitis were risk factors for language. Altered social skills (responsibility and civility) and complaints of inattention were risk factor for arithmetic. Adequate linguistic development was a protective factor for the development of arithmetic. The risk/protective factors included variables relating to the gestational period, mother's age when pregnant, mother's schooling, social skills, behavior and development issues.

Prevalência de tabagismo ativo e passivo durante a gravidez: estudo transversal

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of active and passive smoking during pregnancy and its association with sociodemographic indicators, as well as perinatal and postnatal outcomes in newborns. Methods: This cross-sectional study was comprised of 431 pairs of mothers/ newborns. The study variables were: preterm birth, birth weight, oral mucosal lesions, sociodemographic indicators and smoking data. We collected data from medical records and through a self-administered questionnaire answered by mothers. A pediatric dentist examined the newborns for oral mucosal lesions. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between active and passive smoking and the other variables (α=5%). Results: The prevalence of active (9.5%) and passive smoking (4.2%) during pregnancy was low. Active smoking was statistically associated with low birth weight (OR: 2.4; 95%CI:1.1-5.3), lower schooling level (OR: 0.2; 95%CI:0.1-0.5) and mothers aged ≥36 years old (OR: 4.9; 95%CI:1.2-20.0). Passive smoking was not statistically associated with the other variables. There was no association between active or passive smoking during pregnancy and premature birth and oral lesions of the newborn. Conclusions: The prevalence of active and passive smoking were low. Active smoking was associated with low birth weight, maternal age and mother's schooling, suggesting a social influence of smoking behavior among a population with a lower educational level. There was no association between active and passive smoking and prematurity and oral lesions of the newborn

Bolsa Família program and incomplete childhood vaccination in two Brazilian cohorts.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE:To estimate the effect of being a beneficiary of the Bolsa Família Program (BFP) in the vaccination of children aged 13 to 35 months.METHODS:Our study was based on all birth records of residents of Ribeirão Preto (SP) and probabilistic sampling with 1/3 of the births of residents of São Luís (MA), selecting low-income children, born in 2010, belonging to the cohorts Brazilian Ribeirão Preto and São Luís Birth Cohort Studies and eligible for the Bolsa Família program. The information of Cadastro Único (CadÚnico – Single Registry) was used to categorize the receipt of benefit from the BFP (yes or no). The final sample consisted of 532 children in Ribeirão Preto and 1,229 in São Luís. The outcome variable was a childhood vaccine regimen, constructed with BCG, tetravalent, triple viral, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, rotavirus and yellow fever vaccines. The adjustment variables were: economic class, mother's schooling and mother's skin color. Children with monthly per capita family income of up to R$ 280.00 and/or economic class D/E were considered eligible for the benefit of the BFP. A theoretical model was constructed using a directed acyclic graph to estimate the effect of being a beneficiary of the BFP in the vaccination of low-income children. In the statistical analyses, weighing was used by the inverse of the probability of exposure and pairing by propensity score.RESULTS:Considering a monthly per capita family income of up to R$ 280.00, being a beneficiary of the BFP had no effect on the childhood vaccination schedule, according to weighing by the inverse of the probability of exposure (SL-coefficient: −0.01; 95%CI −0.07 to 0.04; p = 0.725 and RP-coefficient: 0.04; 95%CI −0.02 to 0.10; p = 0.244) and pairing by propensity score (SL-coefficient: −0.01; 95%CI −0.07 to 0.05; p = 0.744 and RP-coefficient: 0.04; 95%CI −0.02 to 0.10; p = 0.231).CONCLUSIONS:The receipt of the benefit of the BFP did not influence childhood vaccination, which is one of the conditionalities of the program. This may indicate that this conditionality is not being adequately monitored.

ETHNIC TRADITIONS OF CHILDREN UPBRINGING IN THE CHUVASH FAMILY AND THEIR REFLECTION IN THE LANGUAGE

Parental responsibility in the upbringing of children is often noted in the works of the oral folk art of the Chuvash people. Much is said about parenting in fairy tales, proverbs and sayings, it is sung about in the songs so much. Parents pass on their life, work and spiritual and moral experience to their children. The power of the parents' educational influence on their children is emphasized in proverbs and sayings. Children adorn life, strengthen the family and give joy. It is a child of a happy family who can become a support of the family, a protector of the native land and a future worker. Etnopedagogy pays a special attention to mothers in the upbringing of children. As E.I. Sokolnikova notes in her monograph, "a Chuvash woman in a family is a binding beginning, she completely determines the general spiritual and moral mood of the family". Special position of a mother in parenting is explained by the difficulties of caring for young children and the important role of the mother's school in shaping the younger generation. People have always emphasized the role of the mother in raising her daughter. This idea is reflected in the proverb: "Arçyn acha ashshĕ çumne çypăçat: hĕracha - amăshĕ çumne" (The son goes to the father, the daughter to the mother). Nowadays, it is very important for Chuvash women to realize their historical role in the implementation of national educational goals, in the preservation of customs, traditions, language (native tongue is called mother tongue not without reason), costumes and in passing them on to the younger generation. The solidarity of the Chuvash family, the national model of the family, admiration of parents and elders, and working traditions allow to involve children in the common problems and concerns of the whole family from an early age. The Chuvash child prepares himself for a hard life from the early years by the example of his parents. Even today, for the sake of their children's future, the Chuvash people are ready to make sacrifices; they sincerely protect their children from all kinds of inconveniences and deprivations, sometimes overprotecting them. Extreme care for children "Epir kurnine achasen kurmalla an pultăr" (What we had to endure, may our children not get it) sometimes hurt. However, adherence to family values, traditions, worldviews of Chuvash people most often allow them to find a way out of any difficult situation, to find their place in life. The Chuvash attitude to the role of father and mother in raising children is quite clear: "Chun parakan atte-anne mar: ăs parakan atte-anne" (Parents are not those who gave soul, but those who gave mind). The intra-family relations, which are characterized by an atmosphere of cordiality, mutual care and human intimacy, are most fruitful for the harmonious development of the personality. A relationship in which the adult selflessly gives the child the wealth of his or her soul without demanding anything in return, and the child enriches the adult with the healing purity of his or her emotions, means for children closeness to their parents. That is why children feel the need for friendly intra-family relations, good fatherly and motherly influence. Children grow up happy and prosperous when their parents understand and support them. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the characteristics of educational ethnic traditions in the Chuvash family, their reflection in the language and to reveal the views on family education traditions in modern Chuvash families.

Incidence of congenital syphilis in the State of Rio Grande do Norte and Brazil: a retrospective study

Introduction: Syphilis is an infection with increasing incidence in Brazilian regions, and the congenital form is liable to lead to cerebral palsy and musculoskeletal deformity. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of congenital syphilis in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.&#x0D; Methods: An exploratory and retrospective study was performed from 2015 to 2017. Public domain data and unrestricted access were used in the DATASUS computer department through the TABNET application. The following variables were collected: age range, clinical evolution (congenital syphilis late, late congenital syphilis, stillbirth / syphilis abortion, ignored / blank, discarded; live birth), mother's schooling, performed prenatal and residence zone.&#x0D; Results: In Brazil, there were 75,733 cases, whereas in the State of Rio Grande do Norte there were 1,436 cases of congenital syphilis, out of which a greater number of confirmed cases affected age group of 0-6 days (97.6%). The highest number of cases was observed in the city of Natal (75.8%), followed by Mossoró (7.8%) and Parnamirim (5.7%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study shows that the incidence of congenital syphilis occurs predominantly in incomplete elementary schooling and in the urban area. It was also verified that the diagnosis of most cases of congenital syphilis occurred in the age group up to 6 days of life, which contributes to the rates of evolution with the living child. In addition, a greater number of confirmed cases of congenital syphilis were observed, and prenatal care was performed, indicating a serious failure in care.

Oral health literacy, sociodemographic, family, and clinical predictors of dental visits among Brazilian early adolescents

The prevalence of dental caries is high in adolescents worldwide, and a large percentage have never been to a dentist or have not had regular dental appointments. To evaluate the influence of oral health literacy and sociodemographic, clinical, and family factors on dental visits among early adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 740 12-year-old students in Campina Grande, Brazil. Students answered about their level of oral health literacy (BREALD-30), levels of family adaptability and cohesion (FACES III), and visits to the dentist sometime in life. Dental caries experience was evaluated using Nyvad criteria. Robust Poisson regression for complex samples was performed. A higher level of oral health literacy (PR=1.01; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), high social class (PR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.50), higher mother's schooling (PR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.37-1.83), family cohesion classified as enmeshed (PR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.19-2.02) and connected (PR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.02-1.44), and the absence of toothache (PR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.01-1.38) remained associated with having visited a dentist. Oral health literacy and sociodemographic, family, and clinical factors were predictors of having visited a dentist among early adolescents.

“I’m not sitting around doing nothing with my life”: The aspirations of school-aged mothers

School-aged mothers face unique challenges in completing their formal schooling. This paper privileges the voices of young mothers in a qualitative study which explored a school-based young mothers’ program in Queensland, Australia. While they perceived the program as supportive, some expressed the wish for more advanced learning options. This aligns with research that suggests young mothers are motivated to complete school and are seeking meaningful career pathways. The lens of intersectionality provides opportunities for deeper critical inquiry into the positioning of young mothers in society. How programs can offer flexible and challenging learning opportunities for young mothers who wish to pursue academic pathways remains a challenge. This identifies an area for future research to disrupt cycles of inequity and educational disadvantage.

Interaction of sociodemographic factors in the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school

The study aimed to analyze the interaction of sociodemographic factors in the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. This was a cross-sectional study in 2018 with a sample of 1,984 students. The target sociodemographic factors were sex, age, parents' schooling, and socioeconomic status. Social support and self-efficacy were measured with questionnaires. Active commuting to school was defined as walking, bicycling, or skateboarding to and from school. Binary logistic regression was used to verify the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. Then, interaction terms with the sociodemographic variables (age, father's schooling, mother's schooling, socioeconomic status) were included in the relationship between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. The sample consisted of 1,984 adolescents (55.9% females). Of these, 748 (37.7% of the sample) reported active commuting to school during a normal week. Analyses of interaction showed that high levels of schooling and high socioeconomic status were negatively associated with active commuting to school. Low socioeconomic status and low schooling were positively associated with such commuting. The peer social support scale showed more significant variables than the other scales. The results indicate that sociodemographic factors (parents' schooling and socioeconomic status) moderate the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school.

What Explains the Decline in Neonatal Mortality in India in the Last Three Decades? Evidence from Three Rounds of NFHS Surveys.

Identifying the factors that have contributed to recent declines in neonatal mortality in India may help determine which policies and programs are most likely to facilitate further reductions. We use data from the 1992-93, 2005-06, and 2015-16 National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) to examine trends in neonatal mortality in India. We use multivariable decomposition to estimate the contribution of different factors to the change in neonatal mortality in India in the last three decades. When limited to most recent births in the 1-47 months preceding the surveys, 70 percent of the decline in neonatal mortality from 1992-2016 is due to changes in utilization of maternal- and child-care program factors and distribution of household, mother's, and child's characteristics. Improvement in "mother's schooling" and increase in utilization of "at least two tetanus toxoid injections" contributed the most followed by the increase in use of "at least three antenatal-care visits" and "clean fuel for cooking." The change in distribution of "birth order" also contributed significantly to the decline in neonatal mortality. Change in the benefits of "access to improved water," "delivery in a medical facility," and "mother's schooling" has led to a decline of 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point, respectively. More investments in maternal- and child-health programs (including family planning) and providing clean fuel for cooking are likely to pay higher dividends.

Cash Transfers and Gender Differentials in Child Schooling and Labor: Evidence from the Lesotho Child Grants Programme

Cash Transfers and Gender Differentials in Child Schooling and Labor: Evidence from the Lesotho Child Grants Programme

Intelligence and posterior fossa tumors in Brazilian youth

Central nervous system tumors are the most frequent solid neoplasms in childhood and are frequently located in posterior fossa (PF). In Brazil, this diagnosis is associated to high mortality rates and this context is increasingly worrisome outside of large urban centers in which delayed diagnosis and defaulting from treatment compromise survivorship. Moreover, the lesion and therapeutic toxicity compromise cognitive domains. This study investigated the impact of PF tumors and their treatments on the intellectual capacity of 37 children and adolescents aged 6 to 16, divided into two groups: patients with low grade tumors, submitted only to neurosurgery (G1) and with tumors of higher malignancy submitted to neurosurgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy (G2). Using the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, data reveal that G1 presented preserved mean performance, while G2 presented low average performance. Cluster-type analysis divided the participants into two groups regarding intelligence, clinical and sociodemographic variables. Inferential statistical analysis highlighted the influence of antineoplastic treatment on nonverbal domains. Mother's schooling demonstrated influence on verbal domains, revealing an important dissociation pattern. The results suggest the relevance of sociocultural factors on the expression of the damage, as well as the administration of radiotherapy at critical neurodevelopmental stages.