Factors Associated with Development in Children Under Five

Abstract

Background: The first five years of a child's life are critical for development. The experiences children have in these years help shape the adults they will become. Parent relationship with their children plays a big part in the way children learn and develop. This study aimed to examine factors associated with development in children under five years of age. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted at 20 posyandus (integrated health posts), Ngemplak, Boyolali, Central Java, from May 5 to June 10, 2018. A total sample of 203 children under five years of age was selected by simple random sampling. The dependent variable was child development. The independent variables were maternal age at pregnancy, prolonged labor, birthweight, birth asphyxia, and family income. Data on child development were measured by pre-screening questionnaire. The other variables were measured by questionnaire. The data were analyzed by a multilevel logistic regressionrun on Stata 13. Results: Child development was positively affected by maternal age at pregnancy (b= 0.33; 95% CI= 0.03 to 0.64; p= 0.032) and absence of birth asphyxia (b= 0.60; 95% CI= 0.16 to 1.05; p= 0.007), birthweight (b= 0.01; 95% CI=-0.01 to 0.01; p= 0.111), and family income (b= 0.27; 95% CI=-0.04 to 0.58; p= 0.087). Children development was negatively affected by prolonged labor (b=-0.30; 95% CI=-0.57 to-0.03; p= 0.029). Posyandu had a strong contextual effect on child development with ICC= 16.16%. Conclusion: Child development is positively affected by maternal age at pregnancy and absence of birth asphyxia, birthweight, and family income. Children development is negatively affected by prolonged labor. Posyandu has a strong contextual effect on child development.