Iron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana

Mantey, Afua Afreh; Annan, Reginald Adjetey; Lutterodt, Herman; Twumasi, Peter

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251335

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The results provide statistical support for the causal chain of anemia-cognition dysfunction-decreasing learning performance. This result was similar to other studies in China and abroad [23][24][25] ; however, additional high quality research to con rm it is required 26 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Relationship between anemia and learning performance in Chinese primary school students: evidence from a large national survey

Wang

2023

Preprint

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This study explored the association between anemia and learning performance, and the possible factors mediating this association among Chinese adolescents. Data of 17695 Grade 4 students from China Education Panel Survey were analyzed. Anemia was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization’s reference. Test scores for Chinese, mathematics and English were gathered from the final examination of previous semester. An ordinary least squares regression and mediation effect analysis were conducted. Our findings found the prevalence of anemia was 6.52% among Chinese Grade 4 students. Students without anemia had a higher average test score for three academic subjects than students with anemia (P = 0.000); their test scores for Chinese, mathematics, and English were also higher (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed a negative association between anemia and average test scores as well as individual test scores for the three subjects. Mediation analysis found that anemia affected learning performance directly (P < 0.05), and indirectly by decreasing the cognition score (P < 0.05). The indirect effect was 19.9% of the total effect. Findings highlighted anemia affected learning performance both directly and indirectly. Nutrition-related interventions should be implemented to prevent a decrease in learning performance among students with anemia.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Relationship between anemia and learning performance in Chinese primary school students: evidence from a large national survey

Wang

2023

Preprint

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“…Te results provide statistical support for the causal chain of anemia-cognition dysfunctiondecreasing academic performance. Tis result was similar to other studies in China and abroad [42][43][44]; however, additional high quality research to confrm it is required.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Relationship between Anemia and Academic Performance in Chinese Primary School Students: Evidence from a Large National Survey

Hu,

Mao,

Wang

2024

Health & Social Care in the Community

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Anemia is a global public health problem, especially common among children in developing countries, which affects their physical and mental health development. However, there is currently a lack of research on the relationship between anemia and academic performance. The objective of this study was to explore the association between anemia and academic performance, and the possible factors mediating this association among Chinese children. The data for this study came from the baseline survey of the Chinese Education Panel Survey Elementary School Cohort. The cohort was conducted from September 2018 to June 2019 in 160 elementary schools, covering 20 provinces and 40 counties/districts throughout China. Paper-based questionnaires were used, completed by 4th grade students, parents, head teachers, main teachers, and principals. The data used included questionnaire responses, physical measurements, and academic performance of 17,695 students. Based on students’ hemoglobin levels and school altitude data, we grouped them into anemia and nonanemia categories using WHO criteria. The anemia group had 1,154 individuals, while the nonanemia group had 16,541 individuals. An ordinary least squares regression and mediation effect analysis were conducted. Our findings found the prevalence of anemia was 6.52% among Chinese Grade 4 students. Students without anemia had a higher average test score for three academic subjects than students with anemia (P<0.001); their test scores for Chinese, Mathematics, and English were also higher (P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed a negative association between anemia and average test scores as well as individual test scores for the three subjects. Mediation analysis found that anemia affected academic performance directly (P<0.05), and indirectly by decreasing the cognition score (P<0.05). The indirect effect was 19.9% of the total effect. Findings highlighted anemia affected academic performance both directly and indirectly. Nutrition-related interventions should be implemented to prevent a decrease in academic performance among students with anemia.

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“…However, challenges include a lack of funding for high-quality instruction and low community participation. Experts recommend increased financing and improved supervision of teaching and learning (Mantey, 2012).…”

Section: Free Education Provision In African Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Free Education Policy on the Provision of Primary and Secondary Education in Zambia

Mwelwa,

Bwalya,

Chibwili

2024

EAJESS

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The study sought to establish the effects of the Free Education Policy on learner enrollment, school infrastructure, financing and the quality of teaching and learning in community primary and secondary public schools in Zambia. The study participants included the District Education Board Secretaries, head teachers, class teachers, learners and parents from 10 provinces, selected using probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected from teachers through a structured questionnaire. In addition, qualitative data was collected from the District Education Board Secretaries, learners and parents through in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion guides. Quantitative data was processed, cleaned and analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 to produce descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was transcribed, sorted and analyzed along with survey data to establish emergent trends. The study found that the implementation of the Free Education Policy had increased school enrollments and government funding. The increase in the number of learners in schools has put pressure on the already overstretched educational resources like teachers, desks, textbooks, toilets and laboratory facilities, indirectly affecting the quality of education. The study suggests that Zambia's Free Education Policy implementation can be strengthened by prioritizing desks, textbooks, sanitary facilities, teacher deployment, modern classroom construction, especially in rural areas, and enacting sustainable financing legislation. The study, within the lens of the Capability Approach, has practical implications on how the implementation of the Free Education Policy can be strengthened in Zambia.

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Iron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Relationship between anemia and learning performance in Chinese primary school students: evidence from a large national survey

Relationship between anemia and learning performance in Chinese primary school students: evidence from a large national survey

Relationship between Anemia and Academic Performance in Chinese Primary School Students: Evidence from a Large National Survey

Effects of Free Education Policy on the Provision of Primary and Secondary Education in Zambia

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