Kehkashan Mufti.
`Common causes of Absenteeism in School Children` A Descriptive Study of Three groups of school children observed for a period of five years.
Ann Abbasi Shaheed Hosp Karachi Med Dent Coll Jan ;6:319-22.

`Absenteeism` is a common feature in academic institutions. Its causes and effects differ from age to age and institution to institution. This study is based upon the information gathered and observations noted during five years of period when the author was a medical officer in schools. School children from Montessori to matric ranging from two and a half years to 1 5 years of age, residing and studying in an upper class locality and school of Federal `B` Area. The study was conducted on school going children through a performa which was to be filled by the parents and counter signed by teachers regarding the cause of absenteeism. The children were grouped according to their classes rather than their ages which are often not correct. Three groups were identified. Group 1 had children of Montessori, kindergarten and nursery and the usual age ranges from two and a half years to 5 years. Group 2 included children from Class 1 to 5 and the age groups was from 5 to 10 years. Group 3 had children of Class 6 to 10 and the age group was 10 to 15. This grouping was done on the basis of similarity of complaints and attitudes towards school, common in particular ages. Group 1 showed an average of 10.49% of absentees per day and the commonest cause of absenteeism was simple yelling and crying and refusal to go to school, rather than any sound medical problem. Group 2 showed an average of 5.93% of absentees per day. The commonest causes was either pain in abdomen with vomiting or fever, cough and coryza. Group 3 had 5.35% of absentees/day and the commonest causes were headache and fever or chest pain and cough. Conclusion: If we compare the results of the three groups; we find a pattern compatible with the age groups. Group 1 had small children who were attached to mothers and did not like to leave them and therefore cried and yelled when forced to go to school and started vomiting many a times. `Group 2 had children from 5 to 10 years, they were more independent and settled in the school. Even then they complained of pain in abdomen but on investigations, no significant pathology was found. Sometimes they were really ill and had fever, headaches, cough and coryza. Group 3 comprised of children who were quite grown up and therefore more settled in schools and less commonest causes of their absenteeism were head, chest pain, fever and cough.

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