Spanish Schoolchildren Research Articles

Breastfeeding, Walking Onset, and Abdominal Obesity Are Determinants of Physical Fitness among Latin American and Spanish Schoolchildren: A Cross-Cultural Study.

To comp+are levels of physical fitness between Ecuador and Spain and identify whether breastfeeding period, walking onset, and abdominal obesity are determinants of physical performance in schoolchildren from Ecuador and Spain. a total of 352 schoolchildren (6-12 years old) from Ecuador (n = 176) and Spain (n = 176) joined in this study. Anthropometric measures, socio-demographic characteristics, and physical fitness were evaluated. Spanish schoolchildren showed better performance in handgrip strength, standing long jump, and 25 m sprint (p = 0.021; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, Spanish children showed better cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001) and a higher VO2 max (p = 0.002) with regards to their peers. In addition, children from Ecuador and Spain showed an influence of breastfeeding period (p ranged from <0.001 to 0.043) and walking onset (p ranged from <0.001 to 0.032) on physical performance. Moreover, physical fitness components were protective factors of abdominal obesity in Ecuadorian and Spanish schoolchildren (p ranged from =0.001 to 0.049). Our findings revealed the influence of the infancy period and the onset of walking on children's physical performance, highlighting the importance of these factors in motor development during early childhood and also their influence in middle childhood and throughout adulthood.

Self-perceived bullying victimization in pre-adolescents on the autism spectrum: EPINED study.

Autistic individuals face a higher risk of various forms of victimization throughout their lives, with bullying being especially prevalent during their school years. Previous studies indicate that autistic children are 2.4 times more likely to be bullied than their typically developing peers and twice as vulnerable as those with other disabilities. However, the extent of this issue among Spanish schoolchildren with autism remains unexplored. In addition, there is no information regarding the presence of bullying victimization in children with marked but undiagnosed autistic traits (i.e. subthreshold autistic traits). This study examines the self-reported prevalence of bullying victimization in autistic pre-adolescents and those with subthreshold autistic traits, comparing them with peers without neurodevelopmental conditions. The study involved 323 participants (11 and 12 years old; 45 with autism or subthreshold autistic traits) from Spanish general education schools. The results revealed a higher rate of bullying victimization among autistic participants (58%; 3.1 times higher risk) and those with subthreshold autistic traits (27%; 1.5 times higher risk) compared with their peers without neurodevelopmental conditions (18.3%). Victimization was linked to more intense restrictive behaviours and increased behavioural and emotional problems. No significant associations were found with other individual or family factors. Our findings underscore the heightened risk of bullying faced by autistic pre-adolescents and those with subthreshold autistic traits at school, emphasizing the need to identify and implement preventive measures to mitigate bullying and its detrimental impact on their mental well-being and overall quality of life.

Knowledge and perception of Spanish school children of climate change

ABSTRACT One topic that is currently playing a major role in education is climate change, given its implications for raising awareness and training in present and future society. The objectives of this research are to analyse the knowledge of Spanish school children (Primary, Secondary Education and Baccalaureate) studying Social Sciences and/or Geography in terms of climate change, the causes and consequences that they identify and the effects that they perceive in their daily lives. For a sample of 1328 students surveyed between the academic year 2020–2021 and 2022–2023, the results indicate that the majority believe that climate is changing (75.0%) and the main origin of this phenomenon is pollution (46.5%). With respect to the consequences, they principally identify the increase and changes in temperatures (54.3%), and with regards the perceived effects, more than half (60.0%) perceive an increase and change in the temperature. In conclusion, the study determines what students know about this global phenomenon and whether it coincides with their experiences. This is of utmost importance due to implications it has for the education system and training the youngest cohorts about climate change.

Association between perfectionism, personality traits and probable sleep bruxism in Spanish schoolchildren: A case-control study.

The aetiology of Sleep bruxism includes specific personality traits, related to perfectionism. To investigate the relationship between probable sleep bruxism (PSB) and personality traits in children and their parents, determining whether children with PSB and their parents are more perfectionists. This case-control study included 104 children aged 8-9 years, 52 cases and 52 controls. A clinical examination was performed on the children who completed the Big Five Personality Questionnaire (BFQ-NA) and the Child Perfectionism Inventory. Parents completed a bruxism diagnostic questionnaire according to the AASM criteria, BFQ and Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale questionnaires. t-Tests for independent samples and multivariate logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. A significant relationship between PSB and a self-demanding personality (OR = 1.11, p = .01), restless sleep (OR = 4.41, p = .004), and a family history of clenching and grinding teeth (OR = 3.07, p = .0006) was found in a binary logistic regression model. When adjusted, only restless sleep showed a significant relationship with PSB (p = .03, OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.13-9.81). Children whose parents reported as clenching or grinding their teeth while asleep in the previous 6 months, and who were found to have abnormal dental wear, had significantly more nightmares, sleep disruption, daytime sleepiness, family history of bruxism, and tended to be more perfectionist.

Prevention of Emotional Problems in Spanish Schoolchildren: Effectiveness of the Super Skills Multimedia Program to Promote Social-Emotional Skills.

Compared to traditional psychosocial interventions, the transdiagnostic approach focuses on common processes or factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of emotional problems. In Spain, the Super Skills Program has proven its effectiveness, but issues with displacement or scheduling for families can hinder access to the intervention. This study aims to examine the program's effectiveness in preventing children's psychosocial problems through learning socio-emotional skills when self-administered via the Internet. Participants were 283 Spanish children between the ages of 8 and 12. The children and their parents completed anxiety and depression scales before and after receiving the intervention and 12 months later. The program consisted of 8 self-applied sessions, at a rate of two per week, which included emotional education, cognitive restructuring, self-regulation techniques, training in social skills, problem-solving, and video feedback with cognitive preparation. Significant differences in anxiety and depression symptoms were found after the intervention. A significant reduction in anxiety scores and a marginally significant decrease in depression scores was observed at the long-term follow-up. The "intention to treat" analysis revealed a tendency for children who improved to drop out of the program, completing the intervention children with more symptomathology. Learning socio-emotional skills through a self-applied intervention via the Internet effectively reduced emotional symptoms in school children and is a valuable resource to improve child well-being and prevent future psychological problems.

Effects of early reading and writing intervention on Spanish school children

The aim of this paper is to analyse the reading and writing achievement of Spanish school children following an intervention conducted at an early age. The purpose of the intervention is to prioritise and systematise instruction in the alphabetic principles, phonological awareness, reading fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. The sample consists of 126 subjects, distributed between an instructed group (n=62) and an uninstructed group (n = 64). All the subjects were from average socio-cultural areas, with normal intelligence and with no physical, mental, and/or sensory deficits. Subjects were evaluated from the second year of Early Years Education (4 years of age) up to the first year of Primary Education (six years of age). The design was longitudinal with repeated measurements (four assessments), three intervention phases, two study variables (reading achievement and writing achievement), and two groups of subjects. Descriptive statistical analysis and repeated measures analyses of variance were performed. The results obtained indicate higher scores in reading and writing throughout all the assessments and significantly greater progress in the instructed group. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of early intervention in written language through systematic instruction in phonological awareness, the alphabetic principles, reading fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el rendimiento en lectura y escritura en estudiantes españoles, tras su intervención desde edades tempranas. La finalidad de la intervención es priorizar y sistematizar la instrucción en principio alfabético, conciencia fonológica, fluidez lectoescritora, vocabulario y comprensión textual. La muestra está formada por 126 sujetos, distribuidos en grupo instruido (n=62) y grupo no instruido (n = 64), pertenecientes a zonas socioculturales medias, con inteligencia normal y sin déficits físicos, psíquicos y/o sensoriales. Los sujetos son evaluados desde 2º curso de Educación Infantil (cuatro años) hasta 1º curso de Educación Primaria (seis años). El diseño es longitudinal con medidas repetidas (cuatro evaluaciones), tres fases de intervención y dos variables de estudio (Rendimiento en Lectura y Rendimiento en Escritura) y dos grupos de sujetos. Se realizan análisis estadísticos descriptivos y análisis de varianza de medidas repetidas. Los resultados obtenidos indican mejores puntuaciones en lectura y escritura a lo largo de todas las evaluaciones y un avance significativamente mayor en el grupo instruido. Estos resultados demuestran la eficacia de una intervención temprana del lenguaje escrito a través de la instrucción sistemática en conciencia fonológica, principio alfabético, fluidez lectoescritora, vocabulario y comprensión textual.

Adherence to 24-h movement guidelines in Spanish schoolchildren and its association with insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study.

Being more active, being less sedentary, and sleeping enough are associated with adequate body weight and adiposity in children. However, few researchers have analyzed these different lifestyle behaviors and the adherence to 24 h movement guidelines with respect to insulin resistance (IR) at school age. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the association between the adherence to 24 h movement guidelines (physical activity, sedentary time, sleep) and IR in Spanish schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study of 839 children (8-13 years, 51.1% girls) were studied. Anthropometric, biochemical, and lifestyle behavioral data were collected. IR was defined as HOMA-IR>3.16. Compliance with the 24 h movement guidelines were defined as ≥60 min/day of moderate and/or vigorous physical activity, < 120 min/day of screen time, and 9-11 h/day of sleep time. Associations between adherence to the 24 h movement guidelines and IR were performed by multivariate logistic regression analyses. The IR in our sample was 5.0%, being higher in girls. Compliance with physical activity or screen time, but not with sleep recommendations, was associated with lower fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR values. A low adherence to 24 h movement guidelines was associated with a higher risk of IR (odds ratio (95% CI): 2.150 [1.089-4.247]), especially in girls (odds ratio (95% CI): 2.800 [1.180-6.645]). Higher physical activity levels and lower screen times were associated with a lower risk of IR in schoolchildren, underlining the importance of adhering to as many healthy lifestyle recommendations as possible.

Relationship between Learning English as a Foreign Language and the Executive Attention Profile in Spanish Schoolchildren

Relationship between Learning English as a Foreign Language and the Executive Attention Profile in Spanish Schoolchildren

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the PANASN Affect Scale in a Sample of Spanish School children

From the perspective of positive psychology, the study and measurement of subjective well-being has popularized a growing interest towards variables such as affective perception. In an attempt to explain and evaluate the affective structure in positive terms (PA) and negative terms (NA), PANASN affect scale (Sandín, 2003) constitutes the version adapted for children and teenagers of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson et al., 1988). Opposite to the confirmatory study made in teenagers by Sandín (2003), this paper proceeds to analyse the internal structure and reliability of the above-mentioned questionnaire after being administered to 636 students aged between 6 and 14 years. An instrumental type of research methodology was carried out. The instrument used was the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children and Adolescents (PANASN). While confirmatory and exploratory analysis show an appropriate adjustment, these properties tend to fade when three or four factors are considered. In response to this, we reflect on the need to consider certain aspects of improvement in content and form, which are essential if we want to use said instrument with primary education students.

Genetic risk score for common obesity and anthropometry in Spanish schoolchildren

IntroductionCommon or non-syndromic obesity is a complex polygenic trait conditioned by biallelic or single-base polymorphisms called SNPs (Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms) that present an additive effect and act synergistically. Most genotype-obese phenotype association studies include body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), and very few introduce a broad anthropometric profile.ObjectiveTo verify whether a genetic risk score (GRS) developed from 10 SNPs is associated with the obesity phenotype assessed from anthropometric measures indicative of excess weight, adiposity and fat distribution.Material and methodsA series of 438 Spanish schoolchildren (6–16 years old) were evaluated anthropometrically (weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thickness, BMI, WtHR, body fat percentage [%BF]). Ten SNPs were genotyped from saliva samples, generating a GRS for obesity, establishing genotype-phenotype association.ResultsSchoolchildren categorised as obese by BMI, ICT and %BF had higher GRS than their non-obese peers. The prevalence of overweight and adiposity was higher in subjects with a GRS above the median. Similarly, between 11 and 16 years of age, all anthropometric variables presented higher averages.ConclusionsGRS estimated from the 10 SNPs can be a diagnostic tool for the potential risk of obesity in Spanish schoolchildren and could be useful from the preventive perspective.

Breakfast Quality and Insulin Resistance in Spanish Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Breakfast has traditionally been considered one of the most important meals of the day; however, there is little evidence for the influence of breakfast quality and insulin resistance (IR). This study aimed to assess the quality of breakfast in a group of schoolchildren, and its association with IR. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 852 children (8−13 years) was carried out. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin and anthropometric parameters were measured. A three-day dietary record was used to assess their diet and to calculate the Breakfast Quality Index (BQI). The sample was divided into tertiles according to the BQI (tertile 3: better breakfast quality). The homeostatic model was used to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and IR was defined as HOMA-IR > 3.16. Results: The prevalence of IR was 5.2%. The mean BQI score was 4.50 ± 1.25, and boys had lower scores than girls. Children in the BQI tertile 3 had a better global diet quality. In boys, being in the BQI tertile 3 was associated with a lower risk of IR (OR [95% CI]: 0.10 [0.01−0.77], p < 0.05). Conclusions: A higher-quality breakfast was associated with better overall diet quality and a lower risk of IR, especially in boys.

Body satisfaction and screen media usage in Spanish schoolchildren

Screen media usage among young children has increased dramatically in recent years. Although media consumption has been noted as an influencing factor in children’s body image, the relationship between children’s body satisfaction and screen media usage in children under 10 years old remains a less-explored topic. A cross-sectional study was designed to analyze the association between screen media usage and the body image satisfaction of Spanish children 5–9 years old. By examining the data of 792 schoolchildren (N = 363 boys, 429 girls; M = 7.23 years), this study sought to reveal the association between screen media usage and children’s body satisfaction. The results showed significant correlations between the use of television and video games and satisfaction expressed with facial features and overall body scheme. Observations by sex indicated positive correlations between television consumption and satisfaction with weight among boys, while in girls‚ a negative association was observed between video game consumption and satisfaction with skin and overall body scheme. Multiple regression analyses revealed a positive association between television consumption and satisfaction with weight, face, and hair, whereas the use of video games was negatively associated with satisfaction with eye and skin color. This study provides a better understanding of the relationship between screen consumption and body satisfaction in minors; accordingly, it seeks to contribute to the design of more strategic and focused media literacy interventions, particularly among those populations that are less well-explored‚ such as young children.

Emotional intelligence and school climate in primary school children in Spain, Norway, and Poland

Introduction: Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to manage emotions effectively. It has a clear impact on the well-being of schoolchildren. A large body of studies has shown how emotional intelligence impacts on psychological and contextual variables, but less is known about how school context may influence in emotional development during childhood. The objectives of this research were to describe the level of emotional intelligence and school climate for schoolchildren in Primary Education in three European countries, to explore the association between school climate and emotional intelligence, and analyzing the moderating role of gender and country. Method: 1104 schoolchildren participated (528 from Spain, 252 from Poland and 324 from Norway) (50.6% girls; MAge = 10.49 years; SD = 1.3). Validated self-report in the three languages were used, Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 and Modified-Delaware School Climate Survey-Student. Results: Descriptive analysis showed higher levels of emotional intelligence in Spanish schoolchildren and higher level of school climate. Girls showed higher levels of emotional repair compared to boys. Multiple multivariate regression models indicated the association between school climate and emotional intelligence . Gender and country did not moderate the relationship between school climate and emotional intelligence dimensions. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the quality of the climate in schools in different European regions to promote the level of emotional intelligence of boys and girls in Primary Education.

When teaching works and time helps: Noun modification in L2 English school children

AbstractThe study focuses on the interaction between length of exposure and instruction in the L2 English acquisition process of L1 Spanish school children. Two target structures involving noun premodification are targeted: noun–noun (NN) compounds and adjective–noun (AN) strings. Four groups of participants have been studied for 3 years: a group that has been exposed to a specifically designed teaching program targeting NN compounds and a group that has received the regular English instruction program which does not address this structure as part of the curriculum. Two age subgroups appear in each case. The longitudinal judgment data elicited show that performance improves in the cooperation between length of exposure and the exposure to the NN instruction program. Furthermore, it is this last issue that actually takes the lead in that the NN instruction program directly impacts on not only NN compounds but also AN strings. This points to instruction being determinant in the L2 learning process; that is, a consciously and carefully directed instruction is proven to be more effective than length of exposure itself. This study on longitudinal experimental data contributes to shed light on the factors involved in instructed L2 acquisition.

The Mediating Role of Motivational Regulation on the Relationship of Emotional Intelligence with Physical Activity in Spanish Schoolchildren.

The present study aimed to analyze the mediating role of different types of motivational regulations in the relationship established between emotional intelligence and physical activity. Participants were 431 secondary school students aged 12 to 16 years, 51.5% females (13.59 ± 1.03 years) and 48.5% males (13.50 ± 0.94 years), who completed a self-reported questionnaire of emotional intelligence, motivation and physical activity. The results showed a statistically significant positive association between emotional intelligence, physical activity, and more self-determined forms of motivation (intrinsic regulation, identified regulation and introjected regulation) (p &lt; 0.05). Several mediation models were also presented that confirmed the mediating value of the more self-determined motivational regulations in the association established between emotional intelligence and physical activity, with the indirect effects being significant for intrinsic regulation, identified regulation, and introjected regulation (p &lt; 0.05). Finally, we conclude on the importance of the management of emotions in order to propitiate a suitable motivational state that leads to physical activity. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of emotional intelligence for the practice of different forms of physical activity in young people.

Prevalence and temporal evolution of asthma symptoms in Spain. Global Asthma Network (GAN) study

IntroductionThe temporal evolution of the prevalence of asthma described in the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in 2002 is unknown, or if the geographical or age differences are maintained in Spain. ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of asthma symptoms in different Spanish geographic areas and compare it with that of those centers that participated in the ISAAC. MethodsCross-sectional study of asthma prevalence, carried out in 2016–2019 with 19,943 adolescents aged 13−14 years and 17,215 schoolchildren aged 6−7 years from 6 Spanish geographical areas (Cartagena, Bilbao, Cantabria, La Coruña, Pamplona and Salamanca). Asthma symptoms were collected using a written questionnaire and video questionnaire according to the Global Asthma Network (GAN) protocol. ResultsThe prevalence of recent wheezing (last 12 months) was 15.3% at 13−14 years and 10.4% at 6−7 years, with variations in adolescents, from 19% in Bilbao to 10.2% in Cartagena; and in schoolchildren, from 11.7% in Cartagena to 7% in Pamplona. These prevalences were higher than those of the ISAAC (10.6% in adolescents and 9.9% in schoolchildren). 21.3% of adolescents and 12.4% of schoolchildren reported asthma at some time. ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of asthmatic symptoms with an increase in adolescents and a stabilization in Spanish schoolchildren with respect to the ISAAC. Geographic variations in asthma prevalence are not so clearly appreciated, but areas with high prevalences maintain high numbers.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Schoolchildren and Its Association with the Fitness Status and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) allows knowing the subject’s feelings in distress and well-being, as well as perception of current and future health. Objective: To assess associations between health-related quality of life, fitness status, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Spanish children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 305 (47.2% women) children and adolescents aged between 8 and 16 years, in the primary and secondary schools of the province of Ávila (central Spain) (NCT05380674). Subjects were classified according to their quality of life: group 1 (highest quality of life) > group 2 (medium quality of life) > group 3 (lowest quality of life). Results: More participants in group 1 showed higher adherence to Mediterranean diet (70.8%) than other groups (group 2: 55.0%; group 3: 43.4%). It was less likely to find optimal levels of muscle strength as quality of life decreased (OR; 95% CI: group 2: 0.535; 0.303–0.955; and group 3: 0.424; 0.234–0.768). Similar trends were found for speed and agility, but only group 3 showed significant results (OR; 95% CI: group 3: 0.297; 0.162–0.545). Flexibility was also the worst in groups 2 and 3 (OR; 95% CI: G2: 0.403; 0.213–0.762; and group 3: 0.520; 0.282–0.958). Conclusion: High fitness status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were associated with improved health-related quality of life in schoolchildren of central Spain.

Association between dietary exposure to bisphenols and body mass index in Spanish schoolchildren.

The increase in children obesity worldwide has been of particular concern in recent decades. Environmental factors have been proposed as contributors to obesity, and there is a growing concern over obesogens, environmental chemicals with potential obesity‐related endocrine‐disrupting properties. In this regard, bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues are suspected to have obesogenic properties. Current document report on the activities of the fellow, undertaken during the fourth, 2020–2021 cycle of the EU‐FORA programme at the University of Granada, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, in Spain. The work programme offered by the hosting site was related to the extrapolation of bisphenols exposure following the determination of these compounds in food frequently consumed by children and in their biological samples. The fellow has participated in the recruitment of the study population in the health centres. In addition, she has participated in the collection of the children biological samples, anthropometric measurements and dietary surveys and in the optimisation of the laboratory methodology for the extraction of bisphenols in biological samples. All these activities also provided the fellow an opportunity to develop her data science related skills, which will benefit her professional development. In addition, the fellow gained an overview of various topics related to food safety risk assessment by attending the EU‐FORA dedicated training modules.

Prevalencia y evolución temporal de síntomas de asma en España. Estudio Global Asthma Network (GAN)

IntroductionThe temporal evolution of the prevalence of asthma described in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) in 2002 is unknown, or if the geographical or age differences are maintained in Spain. ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of asthma symptoms in different Spanish geographical areas and compare it with that of those centers that participated in the ISAAC. MethodsCross-sectional study of asthma prevalence, carried out in 2016–2019 with 19,943 adolescents aged 13–14 years and 17,215 schoolchildren aged 6–7 years from six Spanish geographical areas (Cartagena, Bilbao, Cantabria, La Coruña, Pamplona and Salamanca). Asthma symptoms were collected using a written questionnaire and video questionnaire according to the Global Asthma Network (GAN) protocol. ResultsThe prevalence of recent wheezing (last 12 months) was 15.3% at 13–14 years and 10.4% at 6–7 years, with variations in adolescents, from 19% in Bilbao to 10.2% in Cartagena; and in schoolchildren, from 11.7% in Cartagena to 7% in Pamplona. These prevalences were higher than those of the ISAAC (10.6% in adolescents and 9.9% in schoolchildren). About 21.3% of adolescents and 12.4% of schoolchildren reported asthma at some time. ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of asthmatic symptoms with an increase in adolescents and a stabilization in Spanish schoolchildren with respect to the ISAAC. Geographical variations in asthma prevalence are not so clearly appreciated, but areas with high prevalences maintain high numbers.

Prevalence of convergence insufficiency among Spanish school children aged 6 to 14 years

Clinical relevanceConvergence insufficiency (CI) at an early age can lead to learning difficulties affecting school performance. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of CI in a non-clinical population of Spanish children using well defined clinical criteria and to determine whether sex is a risk factor. MethodsVisual acuity and binocular vision tests were performed in 628 children aged 6–14 years (mean age 9.6 ± 1.3 years) at three schools in the Madrid Community, Spain. To assess CI prevalence we used CITT (Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial) criteria. The three signs considered were: i) exophoria at least 4∆ greater at near than at far; ii) near break point of convergence (NPC) ≥ 6 cm; and iii) reduced positive fusional vergence (PFV) at near (≤ 15∆ base-out break or failed Sheard's criterion). ResultsThe CI prevalence detected was 5.30% (33 children). Proportions of children with one or two signs of CI were 23.76% (148 children) and 12.20% (76 children), respectively. No differences in these CI rates by sex were detected. ConclusionThe clinically significant CI prevalence observed here suggests the need for more binocular vision screening programmes in school settings.