Factors Associated with Child Development among Children Aged under 5 Years in Phatthalung Province

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study was to investigate factors associated with child development among children aged under 5 years in Phatthalung province. The population of the study were children born between 1 January and 31 December 2010. Totally, 1,182 children were followed-up and their de­velopment was recorded until 31 December 2515. The outcome of this study was child development classified into 3 groups as (1) normal, (2) suspected-developmental delay and (3) developmental delay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with child develop­ment among children. Results revealed that hematocrit, thalassemia, and marital status were statistically significantly associated with child development among children. Mothers who had an abnormality hema­tocrit were more likely to have a normal child development, compared to those who had normal hematocrit (OR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.21 to 0.89). In addition, mothers who had an abnormality of thalassemia were more 6 times likely to have a developmental delayed, compared to those who had normality of thalassemia (OR=5.60, 95%CI: 2.32 to 13.52). As well, mothers who were single/divorced/separated were more likely to have a normal child development, compared to those who were married (OR=0.29, 95%CI: 0.14 to 0.60). Results suggested that health professional should pay high attention on laboratory inves­tigation, particularly on the results of hematocrit and thalassemia diagnisis in order to provide intensive care in cases with abnormality findings. In addition, a quality of maternal and child health care services should be provided in order to reduce child developmental delayed and learning disability in the further.