Publication:

Developmental delay among children below two years of age: a cross-sectional study in a community development block of Burdwan district, West Bengal

Background Developmental delay is a public health problem worldwide. Globally every year approximately 200 million under-five children exhibit significant delay; 86% being in developing countries. Thus screening and early detection has been emphasized for effective measures. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of developmental delay among children below two years of age and to determine association of demographic and socio-economic factors.

Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between July-November 2016 among 2 – 23 months aged children at Bhatar block, Burdwan district. Calculated sample size was 277; considering 9.5% prevalence (as elicited by Meenai et al in Bhopal), 95% confidence interval, 5% absolute error, design effect 2 and 5% non-response. By simple random sampling, one village was chosen from each of the fourteen gram panchayats of Bhatar block and then equal numbers of children from each selected village. Data were collected by interviewing the respondents with a pre-designed schedule. Developmental status was assessed using Trivandrum developmental screening chart. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Overall prevalence of developmental delay was 7.9%. Chi-square test revealed gender (p=0.04), birth weight (p=0.00), maternal education (p=0.01) and place of delivery (p=0.00) to have significant association; in logistic regression also these factors remained significant. Gestational duration, age at delivery, socio-economic status had no significant association.

Conclusions Developmental delay is substantially high among rural children. Larger study with appropriate diagnostic tool might ascertain the actual burden and determinants to indicate necessary measures.