Malaria and missed school days
Exploring school absenteeism patterns and local strategies in Odisha, India
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22070276 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Muhammed Jabir (0000-0002-4503-4867, Vector Control Research Centre), Dilip K Panigrahi, Muhammad M Baig, Muhammad Baig (0000-0003-1724-3837, Vector Control Research Centre), Vijayakumar Balakrishnan (0000-0002-3570-4732, Vector Control Research Centre), Prasant Kumar Panda (0000-0002-2637-4073, Pondicherry University), Ashwani Kumar (0000-0002-1387-4503, Saveetha University), Manju Rahi (0000-0003-0932-0935, Vector Control Research Centre), A N Shriram (0000-0002-0996-2447, Vector Control Research Centre, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1502247-1502247 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-27 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1502247 |
| PMID | 40084210 |
| OpenAlex | W4407994680 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 47 |
Background: Malaria continues to pose a significant global health challenge, disproportionately affecting children. While its effects on physical health are well-documented, the impact on education, particularly school absenteeism, remains less understood. This study aimed to explore the influence of malaria on school absenteeism in Odisha, India. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in four southern districts of Odisha from September 2023 to February 2024. This involved a retrospective analysis of school attendance registers from five primary schools and qualitative interviews with 25 school teachers. Statistical analysis was performed using SATA 14.1. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictive factors of absenteeism with independent variables such as year, area of school and class. Qualitative data from interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. Results: The study evaluated absenteeism among 832 children from Class 1 to Class 5 across four academic years (2016-2020), with schools averaging 185 working days annually. While absenteeism rates varied by school, the proportion of students with yearly absenteeism rates of ≥30% remained relatively stable, ranging from 6 to 12.1%. Average absenteeism ranged from 11.5 days in the academic year 2016-2017 to a peak of 22.6 days in 2018-2019. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant association between malaria endemicity and absenteeism patterns. Schools employed several malaria prevention and case management strategies, including health education, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), vector control, screening, testing, and on-site treatment. However, resource constraints and cultural barriers continue to pose challenges. Conclusion: Despite a decline in malaria cases in the study area, school absenteeism persists due to factors beyond malaria. Future interventions should address these broader socio-cultural and logistical issues to effectively manage absenteeism and improve educational outcomes in malaria-endemic regions
Absenteeism · Environmental health · Geography · Malaria · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Malaria Research and Control · Medicine · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance · Immunology
The effect of malaria control on Plasmodium falciparum in Africa between 2000 and 2015
Linkages between malaria and malnutrition in co-endemic regions of India
Impact of school-based malaria case management on school attendance, health and education outcomes
The impact of a malaria elimination initiative on school outcomes
Ethnobotanical survey of malaria prophylactic remedies in Odisha, India
The chronic absenteeism assessment project
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |