Factors Influencing the Academic Performance of Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Ekiti, South West Nigeria

Background: There is a paucity of information on factors that influence the school performance of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in Nigeria, despite her huge burden of the disease. Methods: In total, 101 children with SCA were recruited at a paediatric clinic in Nigeria. Their socio-demographic-matched classmates were the controls. Academic performance and cognitive functioning were obtained from school reports and Ziler's Draw-a-Person Test, respectively. Factors influencing the academic performance were determined. Results: Children with SCA had higher rates of school absence and lower haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.05). There was no difference in overall school performance between children with SCA and controls (59.0 vs. 60.6%; p = 0.256). School absenteeism > 1 week independently predicts poor school performance among the study participants (odds ratio = 15.71; 95% confidence interval = 5.93-41.66; p = 0.000). Most SCA children with poor performance were absent from school for > 1 week. Conclusion: There is need to address causes of school absenteeism among children with SCA.