Educational Attainment at Age 10-11 Years Predicts Health Risk Behaviors and Injury Risk During Adolescence

J Adolesc Health. 2017 Aug;61(2):212-218. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.02.003. Epub 2017 Apr 5.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effect of educational attainment in primary school on later adolescent health.

Methods: Education data attainments at age 7 and 11 were linked with (1) primary and secondary care injury consultation/admissions and (2) the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. Cox regression was carried out to examine if attainment in primary school predicts time to injury in adolescence.

Results: Pupils that achieve attainment at age 7 but not at age 11 (i.e., declining attainment over time in primary school) are more likely to have an injury during adolescence. These children are also more likely to self-report drinking in adolescence.

Conclusions: Interventions aimed at children with declining attainment in primary school could help to improve adolescent health.

Keywords: Adolescence; Children; Cohort; Educational attainment; Injury.

MeSH terms

  • Academic Performance / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Alcohol Drinking / psychology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Health Risk Behaviors*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schools
  • Wounds and Injuries / psychology*