Situation of Thai Childhood Development in 2014

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and identify the situation and factors related to Thai childhood devel-opment. The case study groups were selected by cluster sampling from 31 provinces of Public Health Regions 1 - 12. There were altogether 9,986 children between ages 8 months 16 days to 5 years 11 months and 29 days; Their parents and relatives were also included. Data collection tools consisted of mother and child health record book, questionnaires and Denver II test (Thai version). The period of data collection was 10 months (April 2014 – January 2015). The statistics used for data analysis were percentage and logistic regression. It was found that delayed development of Thai childhood was 27.2 percent. The most delayed aspect was language (19.7%), fine motor (8.9%), personal social (7.5%) and gross motor (6.7%), respectively. Maternal factors that affected child development were career, compli-cations during pregnancy, underlying diseases, antenatal care quality, pregnant aged and iodine medication during pregnancy. Environmental factors were quality of babysitters, household income, quality of storytelling and playing with children, and family characteristic. Children factors were birth asphyxia at 5 and 1 minute, nutritional status, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, underlying diseases, iron supplements and birth complications. Recommendations to promote child development include inclusion of child devel-opment issues in the National Strategy, strengthen and improve health care system through regional health mechanism and maternal and child health board, regular child development surveillance (every 3-5 years), and building society for appropriate recreation and communication with their children.