School Performance: A Matter of Health or Socio-Economic Background? Findings from the PIAMA Birth Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Performance in primary school is a determinant of children's educational attainment and their socio-economic position and health inequalities in adulthood. We examined the relationship between five common childhood health conditions (asthma symptoms, eczema, general health, frequent respiratory infections, and overweight), health related school absence and family socio-economic status on children's school performance.

Methods

We used data from 1,865 children in the Dutch PIAMA birth cohort study. School performance was measured as the teacher's assessment of a suitable secondary school level for the child, and the child's score on a standardized achievement test (Cito Test). Both school performance indicators were standardised using Z-scores. Childhood health was

SUBMITTER: Ruijsbroek A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4527686 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature