Factors associated with low short-term memory development among pupils in public primary schools: evidence from Benin republic

Abstract

Background: Short-term memory, the ability to temporarily hold and manipulate information, plays a critical role in learning and academic performance. This study aims to assess factors associated with low short-term memory in 524 children aged 8–14 years who attended public government schools in the Benin. Methodology: Sixteen randomly selected schools located in peri-urban areas in northern and southern Benin participated in this cross-sectional study. Short-term memory was assessed via the WISC digit span tool. Food insecurity was evaluated with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Socioeconomic and health data were collected through a digitalized questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined through anthropometric measurements and a hemoglobin test. Results: The prevalence of below average short-term memory was 53.47% in the Northern and 28.81% in the southern Benin. In the northern region, 5.56%, 8.68%, and 13.19% of the pupils were, mildly, moderately, and severely food-insecure, respectively. In the southern region, 22.46%, 6.36%, and 3.38% of the pupils fell into the same categories, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that severe food insecurity (OR = 3.461, p < 0.05), moderate and severe thinness (OR = 1.680, p < 0.005), poverty (OR = 2.916, p < 0.001), caregivers’ illiteracy (OR = 1.89, p < 0.05), pupils’ age (OR = 0.864, p < 0.05) and being from the northern regions (OR = 2.263, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of low short-term memory ability. Conclusion: Even with access to a school canteen program, pupils from northern regions, malnourished, food-insecure and from socioeconomically disadvantaged households are more likely to exhibit low short-term memory skills. Policymakers should prioritize the implementation of evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at alleviating food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, alongside initiatives to enhance infrastructure and essential services, including access to electricity in underserved and remote areas.