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Volume 5, Issue 5(Suppl)
J Child Adolesc Behav, an open access journal
ISSN: 2375-4494
Child Psychology 2017
September 28-29, 2017
September 28-29, 2017 Berlin, Germany
23
rd
International Conference on
Adolescent Medicine &
Child Psychology
School attendance and chronic illness
Doireann Eves
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ireland
S
chool absence is an objective, valuable indicator of child wellness. Chronic illness impairs school attendance, and both impair
cognitive functioning, social relationships and behaviour. School absence leads to academic under-performance and a higher
drop-out rate. Many health, social, and economic factors affect attendance rates. The purpose of this study was to establish the
extent of school absence in children with a chronic illness and to ascertain associated factors that may influence school absence.
Questionnaires were distributed to parents of children visiting a regional university hospital. A convenience sample of 28 children
with a chronic illness (CI) and a control sample of 28 children without medical conditions was obtained. Mean school absence was
higher in the CI group (mean 10.4days, median 9days, range 0-56days) than in the control group (mean 7.7days, median 5days, range
0-28days), as was absence due to medical appointments (1.85days vs. 1.3days mean). However, absence due to acute illnesses was
higher in the control group (5.85days) than in the illness group (1.75days mean). Children with asthma were absent for mean 11.4
days, children with headaches 11days, and children with diabetes 5.3 days Children who were absent for more than 20 days of school
were more likely to have a chronic illness, to have been bullied in the preceding year, to have learning support in school, and to have a
psychiatric disorder than children who missed less than five days of school. School absence is more prevalent in children with chronic
illnesses. The need for learning support in school, academic non-proficiency, psychiatric co-morbidity, and bullying were associated
with an increase in school absence. Children with asthma were absent for longer than children with other chronic conditions. Any
intervention designed to reduce school absence should focus on children in these high-risk groups, and should involve healthcare
professionals, families, and schools working together.
Biography
Doireann Eves is a Pediatric Senior House Officer at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland. She has an interest in psychosomatic aspect of general
pediatric medicine. She hopes to develop a mindfulness based intervention group for children with chronic illnesses with the aim of teaching coping skills, improving
school attendance and maximizing social functioning.
doireanneves@rcsi.ieDoireann Eves, J Child Adolesc Behav 2017, 5:5(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2375-4494-C1-003