Determinants of academic performance in children with sickle cell anaemia.
BACKGROUND
Some factors are known to influence the academic performance of children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA). Information on their effects in these children is limited in Nigeria. The factors which influence academic performance of children with SCA in Enugu, Nigeria are determined in this study.


METHODS
Consecutive children with SCA aged 5-11 years were recruited at the weekly sickle cell clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Nigeria. Their age- and sex- matched normal classmates were recruited as controls. The total number of days of school absence for 2009/2010 academic session was obtained for each pair of pupils from the class attendance register. Academic performance was assessed using the average of the overall scores in the three term examinations of same session. Intelligence ability was determined with Draw-A-Person Quotient (DAPQ) using the Draw-A-Person Test while socio-economic status was determined using the occupational status and educational attainment of each parent.


RESULTS
Academic performance of children with SCA showed statistically significant association with their socio-economic status (χ2 = 9.626, p = 0.047), and significant correlation with DAPQ (r = 0.394, p = 0.000) and age (r = -0.412, p = 0.000). However, no significant relationship existed between academic performance and school absence in children with SCA (r = -0.080, p = 0.453).


CONCLUSIONS
Academic performance of children with SCA is influenced by their intelligence ability, age and socio-economic status but not negatively affected by their increased school absenteeism.
Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. docsita31@yahoo.com.
Osita U
OU
Ezenwosu
Ifeoma J
IJ
Emodi
Anthony N
AN
Ikefuna
Barth F
BF
Chukwu
Chidiebere D
CD
Osuorah
D000041:Absenteeism; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010290:Parents; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors