70 THE APPLICABILITY OF THE DENVER PRESCREENING DEVELOP-MENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE (DPDQ) IN A LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC POPULATION

Abstract

Since the validity of the DPDQ has been examined only in predominantly White middle class populations in Denver, CO, a prospective study was conducted to assess the validity of the questionnaire in a predominantly indigent Black population. The effect of an educational package in increasing the accuracy of parental response of DPDQ as also assessed. 127 infants were enrolled in a longitudinal follow-up program from age 2 wks to 1 yr. Parents in a randomly selected experimental group observed an audiovisual presentation describing progressive developmental behavior and were asked to record their child's subsequent development. 78 of the 127 infants were followed for 3 mos, while 53 and 33 have been followed for 6 and 9 mos, respectively. The mean agreement scores between parental responses to the DPDQ and the observed development via DDST were 93.6%, 93.2% and 91% at 3, 6, and 9 mos, respectively. There were no significant differences in the item agreement scores of the experimental group vs the control group thereby demonstrating failure of the educational program in increasing the accuracy of parents. The overreferral rate was quite low (12.8%). The results attest to the validity, generality and feasibility of DPDQ in a lower socioeconomic population and raise some questions about parent education through audiovisual and written materials.