Short stature and the age of enrolment in Primary School: studies in two African countries

This study compares age at enrolment in Primary School with a range of nutr itional measures for 8-9 year old and 12-13 year old children in Ghana (n = 1566) and Tanzania (n = 1390). The results show that short stature (height -for-age z-score), but not other nutritional variables (weight-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores and haemoglobin concentration), is strongly asso ciated with late enrolment. This relationship holds for both age group, sex es and countries, and is independent of socio-economic status in Tanzania ( where this parameter was assessed). The relationship between stature and ag e-appropriate grade becomes less marked with progression through school, wh ich is compatible with a higher drop out rate for more stunted children. Th ese results suggest an important role for health in education; that stunted children enrol later in school and are more likely to drop out earlier. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.