The aim of this
study was to determine the prevalence of school delay in school age children and
to identify its determinants in Brazzaville. A case-control study, comparing school
age children with a school delay (Group 1 or cases) to those who had not school
delay (Group 2 or control), was carried out between February and July 2013. It included
students of CM2 (primary 6) and those of 3ème (form 4) of both public
and private schools of Brazzaville. The sample selection was made according to a
random survey by strata, the number of strata was set to 2. The sample consisted
of 2064 pupils including 1138 girls (55.1%). A total of 2064 students (1138 male/926
female), 792 of them had a school delay, with a prevalence of 38.3%. It was 27%
in the private sector and 46.9% in the public one; 28.2% in primary education compared
to 48.1% in the college; 27.8% in girls and 48.8% in boys (p < 0.001). 21.4% of students in CM2 (primary 6) of the public and
16.7% in the private sector had repeated classes 3 times; 4.2% of students in 3ème
(form 4) of the public education had repeated classes 4 times. Kindergarten program
attendance had a positive effect on later school performances (p < 0.05). The parent’s level of education
and socio-economic status of the family (low and mean for students in CM2 of public
schools and of 3ème of private schools, high for pupils in CM2 of private schools)
and underweight among pupils in CM2 of the private sector were significantly correlated
with school delay (p < 0.05). The prevalence
of school delay was high in Brazzaville (38.3%), boys were more affected than girls.
The kindergarten program attendance was found to have a positive effect on later
school performances, while parent’s low level of education and low socioeconomic
status of the family significantly influenced the rate of school delay in children
in Brazzaville. The high prevalence of school delay in child in Brazzaville imposed
substantial actions, in addition to the efforts already made.
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