PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Background: Developmental delay during early childhood can negatively affect children’s learning, communication, social participation, and overall functioning. Early identification of developmental difficulties and associated risk factors is therefore important for timely intervention. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of developmental delays and identify associated factors among children under five years of age.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 children aged 0–59 months. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling from the selected healthcare facilities and communities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and age-appropriate developmental assessment, covering gross motor, fine motor, language, cognitive, and social/personal domains. Information regarding socio-demographic, maternal, child-related, birth-related, and nutritional factors was also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

Results: Of the 160 children assessed, 36 (22.5%) had developmental delays, while 124 (77.5%) had no developmental delay. Language development showed the highest proportion of delay (20.0%), followed by cognitive (14.4%) and fine motor development (13.8%). Significant associations were found between developmental delay and maternal education (p = .016), socioeconomic status (p = .026), antenatal care (p = .013), birth complications (p = .018), breastfeeding practices (p = .041), maternal illness during pregnancy (p = .023), low birth weight (p = .008), preterm birth (p = .004), NICU admission (p = .004), and nutritional status (p = .003). Logistic regression identified low maternal education (OR = 2.18, p = .022), inadequate antenatal care (OR = 2.48, p = .017), low birth weight (OR = 2.77, p = .015), preterm birth (OR = 3.13, p = .013), and poor nutritional status (OR = 2.36, p = .006) as significant predictors of developmental delay.

Conclusion: Developmental delay was relatively common among the children assessed, with language development being the most frequently affected domain. Maternal education, antenatal care, birth outcomes, and nutritional status were important factors associated with developmental delay. Strengthening developmental screening, maternal and antenatal care, nutritional assessment, caregiver education, and early referral services may support earlier identification and management of developmental difficulties among young children.