Determinants of cognitive performance among primary schoolchildren in Côte d'Ivoire: A longitudinal study

Background - Despite the abundant literature on possible determinants on children’s cognitive functioning, data on primary schoolchildren in Côte d'Ivoire are lacking. Moreover, the vast majority of research on childhood health determinants in marginalized settings has mainly focused on children up to the age of five years. However, investigating further key components that affect cognitive functioning in primary schoolchildren is crucial for developing suitable interventions that help young children to reach their full potential at school.
Methods - The present study is part of a larger randomized controlled trial. Longitudinal data on 144 children (aged 5-12 yrs) were analysed to investigate the possible influence of parental education’s level, haemoglobin concentration, health-related quality of life, and objective level of physical activity levels on cognitive performances among children in rural Côte d’Ivoire. Cognitive performance was assessed via computerized Flanker task in a time interval of one school year. All multiple linear regression analyses were stratified for gender.
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Results - Male participants achieved higher outcomes in the cognitive performance task than females. However, parent’s education level had a significant positive impact on a child's cognitive performance, irrespective of maternal or paternal educational level as referent. Yet, fathers generally presented with higher education levels than mothers. Objective level on physical activity have a positive significant effect on cognitive performances. No effect was found for haemoglobin and health-related quality of life.
Conclusions - The current findings support the notion that parental education’s level and physical activity level play an essential role in a child's cognitive performance. The results also reveal a sex-related disparity, although it remains unclear to what extend these differences are translated into academic achievement and future success. Further research is needed to explain the underlying pathways and to promote cognitive performance for both sexes equally.