Relationship Between Gender and Development Status in Children

Prevalence, Pattern and Factors Associated with Developmental Delay amongst Under-5 Children in Nigeria: Evidence from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2011-2017

BACKGROUND

Children develop dynamically, and when a child fails to reach age-appropriate developmental milestones compared to their peers, it is considered a developmental delay. In developing nations like Nigeria, several demographics, socioeconomic, childcare and external factors may influence the highly individualised process. This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of developmental delay, across Nigeria's geopolitical zones including identified factors associated with developmental delay, providing insight for appropriate interventions to prevent disability in affected children.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which was carried out in rounds 4 (2011) and 5 (2016/2017). Every 5 years, the UNICEF-supported MICS cross-sectional household survey is carried out using the cluster sampling method. A semi-structured, questionnaire administered by the interviewer was used to obtain individual and household-level data. This study comprised a weighted sample of 17,373 under-5 children who had complete data from both survey rounds on characteristics deemed significant for the study. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Using the Chi-square test and multivariate binomial logistic regression, factors linked to developmental delay were identified, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) provided and the significance level set at 5%.

RESULTS

The mean age and sex distribution of the children surveyed in both rounds was comparable, with a male preponderance of 51.2% in round 4 and 50.4% in round 5. In both round 4 (51.2%) and round 5 (49.0%), the Northeast zone had the highest prevalence of overall developmental delay while the least prevalence was seen in the Southwest zone (20.3%) and the Southeast zone (14.7%) in round 4 and round 5, respectively. Across all the zones, delay in the literacy-numeracy domain of development was the most prevalent, with the highest (91.3% and 86.7%, respectively) in the Northeast zone during both rounds of the survey. Delay in the physical domain was, however, the least prevalent form of developmental delay across the zones, with the least in South South (20.6%) and Southeast (5.4%) in rounds 4 and 5. The odds of developmental delay were 1.5 and 1.7 times higher amongst children 4 years old than 3 years old in both rounds of the survey. The likelihood of having developmental delay was found to increase with the severity of stunting amongst the children during both rounds of the survey (odds ratio [OR] =1.5; 95% CI = 1.20-1.78 in round 4 and OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.16-1.58 in round 5). Children from the poorest wealth index had higher odds of developmental delay (OR = 5.8; 95% CI = 4.92-6.82 in round 4 and OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.99-3.10 in round 5).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of developmental delay is high across all zones; however, the burden varies amongst them. The age of the child, nutritional status and wealth index were indicators of developmental delay in Nigerian under-5 children. This underscores the need for surveillance and interventions focussed on improving child literacy, nutritional status and household standard of living across the zones.

National screening for developmental delays and their determinants among Egyptian school age children: A step towards implementing life skills programs

AIM

This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of developmental delays (DDs) and their determinants among Egyptian children aged 6 to 12 years. Such estimation is a prerequisite step toward the application of Life Skill Education (LSE) programs that will potentiate children's future capabilities.

METHODS

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales" was used as a reliable and diagnostic test for DDs screening during this national cross sectional study. Gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), daily living skills, communication, and socialization skills were assessed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DDs. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval was estimated to indicate the strength of association. A p-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS

Out of the 20324 surveyed school-aged children, 7.4% were found to have at least one delay. Communication deficits were the most common (6.4%) followed by delay in daily living skills (2.0%). The final model of logistic regression had a good fit for seven variables out of the sociodemographic, epidemiological characteristics, maternal and perinatal problems that were associated with a higher likelihood of at least one DD: Children suffering from any convulsions (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI: 3.18-5.88), male gender (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.65-2.09), birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.40-2.24), history of maternal health problem during pregnancy (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.34-2.01), children staying in an incubator for more than two days (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29-1.91), having less educated fathers (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.24-1.95) and belonging to the middle social class (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.24-1.58).

CONCLUSION

The identified types and determinants for each DD are allowing for the implementation of tailored programs for school children's life skills promotion for achieving the most sustainable effects on children's biological and psychological health and well-being.

National screening for developmental delays and their determinants among Egyptian school age children: A step towards implementing life skills programs

Aim

This study aimed to estimate the national prevalence of developmental delays (DDs) and their determinants among Egyptian children aged 6 to 12 years. Such estimation is a prerequisite step toward the application of Life Skill Education (LSE) programs that will potentiate children’s future capabilities.

Methods

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales” was used as a reliable and diagnostic test for DDs screening during this national cross sectional study. Gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), daily living skills, communication, and socialization skills were assessed. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with DDs. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval was estimated to indicate the strength of association. A p-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results

Out of the 20324 surveyed school-aged children, 7.4% were found to have at least one delay. Communication deficits were the most common (6.4%) followed by delay in daily living skills (2.0%). The final model of logistic regression had a good fit for seven variables out of the sociodemographic, epidemiological characteristics, maternal and perinatal problems that were associated with a higher likelihood of at least one DD: Children suffering from any convulsions (AOR = 4.32; 95% CI: 3.18–5.88), male gender (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.65–2.09), birth weight less than 2.5 kg (AOR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.40–2.24), history of maternal health problem during pregnancy (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI:1.34–2.01), children staying in an incubator for more than two days (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.29–1.91), having less educated fathers (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.24–1.95) and belonging to the middle social class (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.24–1.58).

Conclusion

The identified types and determinants for each DD are allowing for the implementation of tailored programs for school children’s life skills promotion for achieving the most sustainable effects on children’s biological and psychological health and well-being.

Prevalence and risk factors of developmental disabilities among preschool children in the Arab world: a narrative literature review

PURPOSE

Developmental disabilities (DDs) are a global childhood problem whose prevalence is rising, with a disproportionate impact on individuals in low-and middle-income countries. However, data on the prevalence of DDs in the Arab world are limited. This review highlights what is currently known about the prevalence and risk factors of DDs in preschool children in the Arab world.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched for publications on DDs among preschool children in the Arab world. Only 14 studies were identified in the literature, from 12 Arab countries.

RESULTS

The overall estimated prevalence of DDs among preschool children in the Arab world is 27.5%. An analysis of risk factors for DDs showed that child-related, maternal, and family-related factors account for a significant cumulative risk of developing DDs in preschool children. Maternal factors, such as antenatal and perinatal complications, were the most common risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of DDs among preschoolers is significantly high in the Arab world, which emphasizes the importance of the early detection and diagnosis of DD, as well as its associated risk factors.