Use of Gadget on Child Development in Children Aged 3-5 Years: Evidence from Melawi, West Kalimantan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Children nowadays use gadgets intensively, which can lead to addiction. The frequency or intensity of the children in using gadgets may affect their development. This study aimed to examine the use of gadgets on child development in children aged 3-5 years. Subjects and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in Melawi, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, from August to September 2019. A sample of 200 children 3-5 years old was selected by fixed exposure sampling. The dependent variable was child development. The independent variables were gadget use, maternal age, maternal education, maternal employment, family income, number of children, and type of family. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple linear regression. Results: Children development aged 3-5 years increased with maternal age ≥20 years old (b= 0.73; 95% CI= 0.11 to 1.35; p= 0.020), maternal education ≥Senior high school (b= 0.71; 95% CI= 0.34 to 1.08; p<0.001), family income ≥Rp 2,288,000 (b= 0.85; 95% CI= 0.42 to 1.28; p<0.001), and nuclear family type (b= 0.57; 95% CI= 0.25 to 0.89; p= 0.001). Children development aged 3-5 years decreased with gadget use (b= -0.69; 95% CI= -0.98 to -0.40; p<0.001), employed mother (b= -0.75; 95% CI= -1.05 to -0.45; p <0.001), and number of children >2 (b= -1.13; 95% CI= -1.46 to -0.80; p<0.001). Conclusion: Perkembangan anak usia 3-5 tahun meningkat dipengaruhi oleh usia ibu, pendidikan ibu, pendapatan keluarga, dan tipe keluarga inti. Perkembangan anak usia 3-5 tahun menurun pada anak yang menggunakan gadget, pekerjaan ibu, dan jumlah anak. Keywords: gadget use, children aged 3-5 years Correspondence: Livia Calorina. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: liviacalorina41@gmail.com. Mobile: 081346595497 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.03.87