DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND ITS PREDICTORS AMONG INFANTS- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN RURAL AREAS OF SILIGURI SUBDIVISION, DARJEELING DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL.

Abstract

Background & objectives: Developmental delay is a condition where a child fails to reach the different developmental domains at the expected age. Children who are developmentally delayed are less likely to be productive adults. The present study is aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of global developmental delay among the infants of rural areas of Siliguri sub division, Darjeeling district, West Bengal Methods:  A descriptive epidemiological study with cross- sectional design was carried out among 780 infants in Siliguri subdivision, Darjeeling district, West Bengal. Thirty cluster sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data were collected by interviewing the respondents using a pre-designed and pre tested schedule. Development status was assessed using ASQ-3 scale and delay in more than one domain was defined as global developmental delay. Logistic regression was applied to find out the association between global development delay and different predictors. Results:  Overall prevalence of global developmental delay was 38.2%. Neonatal factors like birth weight (p=.000), h/o neonatal infection (p=.001) and neonatal jaundice (p=.000) was found to be significantly associated with global developmental delay. No statistical significance was observed with sociodemographic and maternal factors. Conclusion:  Developmental delay is high among the infants of the studied area and associated with some of the neonatal factors. Field based studies using appropriate screening tools from different parts of India including West Bengal will be helpful to find out the hidden cases and related factors. Key words: Developmental delay, Predictors, Infants, ASQ-3, Darjeeling