Significant cognitive delay among 3- to 4-year old children in low- and middle-income countries : prevalence estimates and potential impact of preventative interventions

Emerson, Eric and Savage, Amber and Llewellyn, Gwynnyth (2018) Significant cognitive delay among 3- to 4-year old children in low- and middle-income countries : prevalence estimates and potential impact of preventative interventions. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47 (5). pp. 1465-1474. ISSN 0300-5771

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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.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Epidemiology
Additional Information:
This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in International Journal of Epidemiology following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Eric Emerson, Amber Savage, Gwynnyth Llewellyn; Significant cognitive delay among 3- to 4-year old children in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence estimates and potential impact of preventative interventions, International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 47, Issue 5, 1 October 2018, Pages 1465–1474, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyy161 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/47/5/1465/5067133
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2713
Subjects:
?? cognitive delayintellectual disabilitypreventionlow- and middle-income countriesyoung childrenepidemiology ??
ID Code:
130474
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
10 Jan 2019 15:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
05 Oct 2024 00:28