Eric Emerson1, Amber Savage2, Gwynnyth Llewellyn1. 1. Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Family and Disability Studies Initiative, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Abstract
Background: We sought to: (i) estimate the prevalence of significant cognitive delay (a marked delay in the development of general cognitive functioning) among nationally representative samples of young children in middle- and low-income countries; (ii) estimate the total number of children under 5 years of age with significant cognitive delay living in low- and middle-income countries; and (iii) estimate the potential impact of five preventative interventions. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected in Rounds 4 and 5 of UNICEF's Multiple Cluster Indicators Surveys in 51 countries involving 163 293 3- to 4-year-old children. Adjusted population-attributable fractions were used to estimate the potential impact of five interventions based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results: The prevalence of significant cognitive delay in 3- to 4-year-old children in middle- and low-income countries was 10.1% (95% confidence interval 9.7-10.4%). Prevalence was strongly inversely related to country economic wealth. The estimated total number of children under 5 with significant cognitive delay living in low- and middle-income countries was just under 55 million. This number could be reduced by over 60% if three separate SDGs were achieved; every mother had secondary-level education, every household had access to improved water and sanitation, and every child had an acceptable level of home stimulation. Conclusions: Our results provide additional evidence in support of a range of specific preventative interventions in early childhood to reduce the loss of developmental potential among children in low- and middle-income countries.
Background: We sought to: (i) estimate the prevalence of significant cognitive delay (a marked delay in the development of general cognitive functioning) among nationally representative samples of young children in middle- and low-income countries; (ii) estimate the total number of children under 5 years of age with significant cognitive delay living in low- and middle-income countries; and (iii) estimate the potential impact of five preventative interventions. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected in Rounds 4 and 5 of UNICEF's Multiple Cluster Indicators Surveys in 51 countries involving 163 293 3- to 4-year-old children. Adjusted population-attributable fractions were used to estimate the potential impact of five interventions based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results: The prevalence of significant cognitive delay in 3- to 4-year-old children in middle- and low-income countries was 10.1% (95% confidence interval 9.7-10.4%). Prevalence was strongly inversely related to country economic wealth. The estimated total number of children under 5 with significant cognitive delay living in low- and middle-income countries was just under 55 million. This number could be reduced by over 60% if three separate SDGs were achieved; every mother had secondary-level education, every household had access to improved water and sanitation, and every child had an acceptable level of home stimulation. Conclusions: Our results provide additional evidence in support of a range of specific preventative interventions in early childhood to reduce the loss of developmental potential among children in low- and middle-income countries.
Authors: Juan P Aguilar Ticona; Nivison Nery; Joseph B Ladines-Lim; Claudia Gambrah; Gielson Sacramento; Bruno de Paula Freitas; Joseane Bouzon; Jamary Oliveira-Filho; Ana Borja; Haritha Adhikarla; Magelda Montoya; Athena Chin; Elsio A Wunder; Verena Ballalai; Carina Vieira; Rubens Belfort; Antonio R P Almeida; Mitermayer G Reis; Eva Harris; Albert I Ko; Federico Costa Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2021-02-05
Authors: Ammal M Metwally; Ali M Abdallah; Ebtissam M Salah El-Din; Zeinab Khadr; Ehab R Abdel Raouf; Nahed A Elghareeb; Rehan M Saleh; Manal H Abuelela; Hala A Amer; Hasanin M Hasanin; Mohamed A Abdel Mawla; Sara F Sallam; Inas R El-Alameey; Samia M Sami; Ghada A Abdel-Latif; Mohamed Abdelrahman; Manal A Shehata Journal: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health Date: 2022-08-05 Impact factor: 7.494