Maria N du Toit1, Jeannie van der Linde2, De Wet Swanepoel2,3,4. 1. Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. maria.dutoit@up.ac.za. 2. Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. 3. Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia. 4. Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the developmental risks, and its influence, in young children from a low-income South African community. METHOD: An exploratory, cross-sectional research study design was employed. Developmental screening was conducted during home visits with 126 caregivers and children between 0 and 42 months of age from a low-income South African community. Children who failed the rescreen were referred for diagnostic assessment. A binomial logistic regression was used to determine the effect of developmental risks on developmental outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of children screened were identified with a possible developmental delay (n = 59) according to caregiver-report using the PEDS tools. The regression model was statistically significant (χ2 (3) = 34.902, p < 0.001) with exposure to multiple languages (p < 0.05; odds ratio 3.810, CI 1.2-12.4) most indicative of potential developmental delay. Older children (19-42 months) were also more at risk of developmental delay (p < 0.001) than younger children (0-18 months). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals serving these vulnerable populations should create awareness amongst caregivers about the effect of developmental risks, in particularly multiple language exposure, on development.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the developmental risks, and its influence, in young children from a low-income South African community. METHOD: An exploratory, cross-sectional research study design was employed. Developmental screening was conducted during home visits with 126 caregivers and children between 0 and 42 months of age from a low-income South African community. Children who failed the rescreen were referred for diagnostic assessment. A binomial logistic regression was used to determine the effect of developmental risks on developmental outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of children screened were identified with a possible developmental delay (n = 59) according to caregiver-report using the PEDS tools. The regression model was statistically significant (χ2 (3) = 34.902, p < 0.001) with exposure to multiple languages (p < 0.05; odds ratio 3.810, CI 1.2-12.4) most indicative of potential developmental delay. Older children (19-42 months) were also more at risk of developmental delay (p < 0.001) than younger children (0-18 months). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals serving these vulnerable populations should create awareness amongst caregivers about the effect of developmental risks, in particularly multiple language exposure, on development.
Authors: Maureen M Black; Susan P Walker; Lia C H Fernald; Christopher T Andersen; Ann M DiGirolamo; Chunling Lu; Dana C McCoy; Günther Fink; Yusra R Shawar; Jeremy Shiffman; Amanda E Devercelli; Quentin T Wodon; Emily Vargas-Barón; Sally Grantham-McGregor Journal: Lancet Date: 2016-10-04 Impact factor: 79.321