J Natl Med Assoc. 2025 Oct 29:S0027-9684(25)00329-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2025.10.002. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early childhood developmental assessment is a continuous process that involves observing, collecting, recording, and analyzing information about young children. This helps educators and health professionals evaluate the children’s growth and development their instruction accordingly. However, there are limited standardized assessment tools that are widely adopted. The goal of this study was to explore how health professionals at public health institutions assess developmental milestones in early childhood METHODS: The study used an institution-based cross-sectional design. 356 study participants from public health facilities were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires and observational checklists were employed to evaluate the practice and related elements. An SPSS version 27 program was used to clean, code, and enter the data after it had been verified as consistent and complete. The binary logistic regression model was used to analyze bivariate and multivariable and the model fitness was checked. The p-value was <0.05, indicating a significant association. Lastly, texts, tables, and graphs are used to present the results.
RESULTS: Only 33.8 % of health professionals had good practice with early childhood developmental milestone assessment. Professions (Physicians and Health officers), training, standardized assessment tools available and supervision were factors that significantly related to good practices.
CONCLUSION: Assessment of the practice of developmental milestones assessment in early childhood was still done poorly. Standardized assessment tools available, training, supportive supervision, and the type of types of profession (physician or health officer) were all statistically significant determinants. As a result, providing health workers with training, carrying out ongoing supporting supervision, and making standardized assessment tools are crucial.
PMID:41168007 | DOI:10.1016/j.jnma.2025.10.002
