Tap Water Consumption Is Associated with Schoolchildren's Cognitive Deficits in Afghanistan.

ABSTRACT: Environmental influence on intelligence quotient (IQ) is poorly understood in developing countries. We conducted the first cross-sectional investigation to assess the role of socio-economic and environmental factors on schoolchildren's IQ in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. A representative sample of 245 schoolchildren aged 7-15 was randomly selected in five schools. Children's records included: non-verbal IQ TONI-1 scale, body mass index, socio-economic status, and further environmental indicators (water supply, proximity to a heavy-traffic road, use of surma traditional cosmetics). The mean age of the children was 11.7 years old (±2.0 years), and 70.2% and 29.8% were male and female, respectively. The children's mean IQ was 83.8 (±12.6). In total, 37 (14.9%) of the children were overweight, 78 (3

SUBMITTER: Shinwari A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9321136 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature