Practice on early detection of disabilities and related factors among caregivers of children under 3 years old in the commune Nam Thang in Tien Hai district located in Thai Binh province in 2015

Abstract

     Early detection and early intervention services can help children with disabilities or delays to learn many key skills in order to catch up in their development. Parents and caregivers play an important role in detecting disability. The purpose of our cross-sectional study with 209 caregivers of children under 3 years old in the commune Nam Thang located in the Tien Hai district in Thai Binh province is to identify practices in early detection of disabilities and  related factors. The proportions of caregivers having good practices in early detection of disabilities is 31.6%. Accessibility of information resources and the number of children under 3 years old in households are factors related to caregivers’ practices in observations and monitoring child development for  early detection. Thus, it is necessary to have a comprehensive education and communication program for improving knowledge and strengthening practices in early detection among caregivers.