SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN ADOLESCENT JAMAICAN GIRLS - ASSOCIATIONS WITH HEALTH, SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL-CHARACTERISTICS, AND RISK-FACTORS FOR DROPOUT

Health, nutrition and behavioural determinants of school achievement, attendance and dropout were examined in 452 girls aged 13-14 years, ra ndomly selected from grade 8 in nine schools in inner-city Kingston, J amaica. Girls who were anaemic, sexually active or aggressive had wors e achievement levels. Better achievement levels were associated with p ossession of school materials and access to reading material outside o f school. Poor attendance, early sexual activity, and not living with both parents predicted school dropout in the subsequent year. Strategi es to reduce anaemia, to improve sex education and reduce the levels o f aggression may benefit school performance. (C) 1998 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.