Factors related to cognitive function among elementary school children

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate cognitive functioning among elementary school children in Jordan. Methods: A total of 468 children aged 6–12 years were recruited to participate in this study. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the LOTCA battery (Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment; Itzkovich et al., 2000). Information obtained from the parents included demographics, work and income data and child's daily behavior and school achievement. Results: The results of this study showed that the cognitive functioning increased by 3.8 points for each increase in the child's GPA and increased by 2.35 points when the child ate breakfast regularly. By contrast, living in rural areas and smoking by a parent decreased cognitive functioning. Conclusions: Understanding of the child's cognitive abilities is critical to establishing intervention goals and to planning therapeutic activities. Screening of cognitive abilities and associated factors is essential for a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the child's abilities and limitations. Further research is recommended to investigate other factors in different populations.

Key words::

• socio-demographic factors and school achievement
• school based occupational therapy
• Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA)
• cognitive performance

Acknowledgement

This study was approved and supported by a grant from the Deanship of Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.