INFLUENCES OF MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AGED 1-3 YEARS IN NHA TRANG CITY, VIETNAM

Abstract

Although early childhood development (ECD) is emphasized in regulation and law, Vietnam still refers the term ECD to early childhood education and the role of parents in promoting child development is not frequently mentioned. This study aims to examine the influences of mother’s knowledge of child development and socio-economic factors on child development. We conducted this cross-sectional study in Nha Trang city, Vietnam and collected data from 296 child-mother dyads using multistage sampling. Child development is measured by Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and completed by mothers. The results show that there were 34.1% of children reported with suspected delayed development. Inappropriate level of maternal knowledge of child development, practice to promote child development, and positive parenting practice took up 80.4%, 75.3%, and 76.0%. Results from the multiple logistic regression reveal that maternal knowledge of child development and several socio-economic factors including children’s age, and children living with both parents were significantly associated with child development. The study recommends that mothers should improve their knowledge of child development to ensure their children’s healthy development.